How can you handle concurrency in your mobile app?

1 Use threads and queues

One way to handle concurrency is to use threads and queues. Threads are units of execution that can run independently and concurrently. Queues are data structures that store tasks for threads to execute in a specific order. You can use threads and queues to separate different types of tasks, such as UI tasks, network tasks, and background tasks. For example, you can use the main thread and the main queue for UI tasks, and create other threads and queues for network and background tasks. This way, you can avoid blocking the main thread and improve the responsiveness of your app.

2 Use locks and synchronization

Another way to handle concurrency is to use locks and synchronization. Locks and synchronization are mechanisms that prevent multiple threads from accessing or modifying the same resource at the same time, such as a shared variable, a file, or a database. For example, you can use a lock to protect a critical section of code that updates a shared variable, and release the lock when the update is done. This way, you can avoid race conditions and ensure data consistency. However, you should also be careful not to use too many locks or hold them for too long, as this can cause performance issues or deadlocks.

3 Use patterns and principles

A third way to handle concurrency is to use patterns and principles. Patterns and principles are best practices and guidelines that help you design your app in a modular, reusable, and maintainable way. For example, you can use the MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern to separate the data, the UI, and the logic of your app. This way, you can isolate the concurrency issues in each layer and handle them accordingly. You can also use the SOLID principles to ensure that your classes and methods are cohesive, loosely coupled, and easy to extend. This way, you can avoid code duplication, complexity, and dependency issues.

4 Use tools and libraries

A fourth way to handle concurrency is to use tools and libraries. Tools and libraries are frameworks and components that provide ready-made solutions for concurrency problems. For example, you can use the AsyncTask class in Android or the GCD (Grand Central Dispatch) framework in iOS to simplify the creation and management of threads and queues. You can also use the RxJava or RxSwift libraries to implement the reactive programming paradigm, which allows you to handle asynchronous events and data streams using observables and subscribers. These tools and libraries can help you reduce the boilerplate code, handle errors, and improve the readability of your app.

Concurrency is an essential feature of mobile app development, but it also requires careful design and implementation. By using threads and queues, locks and synchronization, patterns and principles, and tools and libraries, you can handle concurrency in your mobile app using object oriented design principles. This way, you can create a fast, reliable, and scalable app that meets the needs and expectations of your users.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?