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Discover why it’s not recommended for your Android `ListView` adapters to make API calls directly and learn the best practices for structuring your app.
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Should an Android ListView Adapter Have API Calls?

When building Android applications, especially those that involve displaying a list of items, a common question arises: Should your ListView adapter make API calls? This topic can spark diverse opinions among developers, and it's essential to understand the implications of allowing your adapter to handle API interactions.

Understanding the Role of an Adapter

An adapter in Android serves a vital purpose. Its primary responsibility is to bridge the gap between the data source (like an array or a database) and the user interface (UI) component such as a ListView or RecyclerView. The most common methods you'll find in an adapter include:

setItems(): To provide the initial list of items to display.

getCount(): To return the number of items in the list.

notifyDataSetChanged(): To refresh the display when the underlying data changes.

In essence, the adapter's role is to present the data, not to manipulate it directly or decide where it comes from.

Why Avoid API Calls in Your Adapter?

While it might be technically possible for an adapter to make API calls (e.g., through a use case), it's generally not recommended for several reasons:

Separation of Concerns:

The adapter should focus on displaying data and not managing network operations. Mixing these responsibilities can lead to code that is harder to maintain and test.

Increased Complexity:

Having an adapter manage API calls compels it to be aware of various data sources and networking intricacies, complicating its logic and making it less reusable.

Testing Difficulties:

When unit testing your application, it's crucial to isolate components. If the adapter makes network calls, testing it becomes more complex because you need a reliable network environment.

A Recommended Architecture

Instead of embedding API calls within your adapter, consider this clean architecture:

Activity/Fragment:

The activity or fragment should interact with the presenter to obtain data.

Presenter:

Utilize a presenter to handle business logic and communicate with the use case or repository. This keeps the data-fetching logic separated from the UI layer.

Use Case/Repository:

These components should manage data fetching from APIs or other sources without involving the adapter.

Example Code Structure

Here’s a simplified Kotlin code structure illustrating how to adhere to these principles:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

In summary, while it’s technically possible for a ListView adapter to include API calls, best practices suggest that you keep these two responsibilities separate. This not only leads to cleaner, more maintainable code but also simplifies testing and enhances the adaptability of your architecture. By structuring your Android application correctly, you ensure that each component has a single responsibility—leading to better long-term outcomes.

Final Thoughts

When designing your Android app, always strive for clarity and separation of concerns. Adhering to these principles will make your development process smoother, your code more maintainable, and your application more robust against future changes.