How to Build a Shopping Android App Using Kotlin

Jan 6, 2024 | Programming

In today’s e-commerce world, building your own shopping app offers endless opportunities. If you are looking to develop a simple yet effective Android application where users can buy and sell products, you’re in the right place!

Overview of the Application

This shopping app allows users to browse products like shoes and slippers, view details, add items to their cart, and even like or dislike products. Additionally, registered users can sell their items if they sign up as sellers. Here are some of the cool features:

  • Login and Signup with OTP Verification.
  • RecyclerView with variable span size to showcase products.
  • Search Bar and filtering options.
  • Detailed product screens with image carousel and custom Radio Buttons.
  • Add/Edit products for sellers.
  • View all orders placed.
  • Adjust product quantities in the cart.
  • Process orders and modify order status for sellers.
  • Add and edit addresses.
  • Thoroughly tested with Espresso, including unit, instrumentation, and UI tests.

Setting Up the Project

To begin developing this app, you will need to set up your development environment. Follow these steps to clone the repository and configure Firebase:

Clone the Repository

Clone the repository and import it into Android Studio:

git clone https://github.com/i-vishi/shopping-android-app.git

Firebase Configuration

Since this project requires Firebase, follow these simple steps:

  1. Visit the Firebase documentation to add Firebase to your Android project.
  2. Download the google-services.json configuration file and place it in the app module of your project.
  3. Enable Cloud Firestore for database management by following the instructions here.
  4. Create two collections: users for user data and products for product listings.
  5. Enable Phone Number sign-in for OTP-based authentication by following the steps here.
  6. Don’t forget to enable app verification and provide SHA-1 and SHA-256 fingerprints.

Bypassing OTP for Quick Exploration

If you find that OTP errors hinder your exploration, you can temporarily bypass the OTP screen:

Go to app/src/main/java/com/vishalgaur/shoppingapp/Utils.kt file.
Change the return value for function shouldBypassOTPValidation() to true.

Now, run the app and feel free to explore while you configure the OTP verification.

Understanding the App Functionality with an Analogy

Think of this shopping app as a large supermarket:

  • The products arrange like aisles stocked with shoes and clothing waiting for customers.
  • When you click on a product, it’s like a shopkeeper providing all details about that product, making sure you have all the information you need.
  • Adding items to your cart is akin to picking products off the shelves and placing them into your shopping cart.
  • Checking out is the final stage where you make the purchase, just as you would at the register.

In this way, the app not only serves as a platform to browse and buy but also makes selling easy for registered users.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

You may face some challenges while setting up your shopping app or during use. Here are some troubleshooting ideas:

  • If you encounter OTP verification issues, ensure that Firebase Authentication is correctly set up and that the required permissions are granted.
  • If RecyclerView is not displaying products correctly, check your layout manager settings or data-binding logic.
  • For issues regarding Firebase connection, double-check your google-services.json file and ensure it’s properly placed within the app module.

If you need further assistance, you may visit Firebase documentation for detailed troubleshooting guidance.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Conclusion

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

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