How we Build an App
An in-depth article on the app development process that we at Walturn adopt and the best engineering practices we abide by
By Nasir Zaidi
At Walturn, our journey began in 2017 with a clear vision - to become a boutique Product and Technology consulting agency that not only delivers top-notch software solutions but also contributes to making the world a better place through technology.
Since our inception, we have been at the forefront of mobile app development, being one of the earliest adopters of Flutter.
In this article, we're excited to take you through our app-building process and shed light on the best engineering practices that define us.
Our Mission and Team
At the core of our approach lies a mission that fuels every line of code we write. We're not merely developers; we're technologists with a purpose.
Our mission goes beyond financial gains; it's about harnessing the power of technology to enhance growth and productivity across industries.
This guiding ethos powers our team – a select group of consultants and engineers who thrive on challenges, and who excel at transforming concepts into high-quality apps.
Their passion for innovation and technology serves as the cornerstone of our reputation for delivering impactful products.
Our Development Process
Ideation and UI Designs/Prototypes
Our app development journey begins with a meticulous process of ideation and UI design. We collaborate closely with our clients to understand their vision, target audience, and business goals.
This initial phase involves the creation of UI designs and prototypes, providing a tangible vision for the app's aesthetics and functionality. This collaborative approach ensures that our clients actively participate in shaping the app from its conceptual stage.
Flavors and Platform Diversity
One of the cornerstones of our app development process is catering to a diverse range of users. We understand that our clients' user base spans different platforms, so we meticulously develop apps for both iOS and Android.
By adopting this approach, we ensure a wider reach and engagement for the apps we create.
Our expertise in Flutter enables us to maintain a consistent user experience across platforms, giving users a seamless interaction regardless of their device of choice.
Using Latest Dependencies
To remain on the cutting edge of app development, we stay updated with the latest dependencies and tools. This approach allows us to take advantage of new features, improvements, and security enhancements while building apps.
By incorporating the latest libraries and packages, we not only enhance the functionality of our apps but also future-proof them for ongoing success.
Modular UI: Separate UI Packages
To ensure maximum reusability and maintainability, we adopt a modular approach to UI development. We create separate UI packages that encapsulate various UI components, screens, and interactions.
This modularization simplifies updates, reduces redundant code, and allows us to develop UI components that can be easily shared across different projects. This approach significantly accelerates development timelines and guarantees a consistent user experience.
Flutter Packages
The Flutter ecosystem boasts an array of pre-built packages that expedite development and enhance functionality. We harness the power of these packages to accelerate development without compromising quality.
By using established packages, we can allocate more time to custom features and functionalities that truly set our clients' apps apart.
Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment
Efficiency and reliability are paramount in the software development lifecycle. To achieve this, we rely on robust CI/CD pipelines.
By making use of tools like GitHub Actions, we automate the build, testing, and deployment processes.
This not only reduces human error but also ensures that our apps are thoroughly tested and ready for deployment with every code change. A streamlined CI/CD approach allows us to maintain a rapid development pace without sacrificing quality.
Effective State Management with BLoC
State management is a critical aspect of modern app development, and we swear by the BLoC (Business Logic Component) pattern. BLoC provides a structured way to manage and propagate changes in app state, resulting in more maintainable and scalable code.
This pattern enhances the separation of concerns and helps us create apps that are easier to debug, extend, and collaborate on.
In the world of Flutter development, efficient state management is the key that unlocks a seamless user experience. This is where the BLoC (Business Logic Component) pattern emerges as our guiding light.
BLoC in the context of Flutter isn't just an acronym; it's a philosophy that elegantly segregates logic from presentation.
It allows us to manage Flutter app state in a scalable, maintainable manner, ensuring a seamless user experience across your Flutter app.
This isn't just about writing Flutter code; it's about architecting a user-centric environment where interactions are fluid, Flutter UIs are responsive, and developers collaborate seamlessly.
The Flutter BLoC pattern rests on the principle of separation of concerns. It ensures that the business logic powering your Flutter app's functionality is separate from its UI.
This separation facilitates efficient Flutter app debugging, scaling, and collaboration among Flutter development teams.
The elegance of BLoC lies in its flexibility; it integrates seamlessly into diverse Flutter projects, creating a foundation that's adaptable, maintainable, and designed to evolve alongside your business needs.
Testing Approach
Our commitment to delivering bug-free apps drives our rigorous testing practices. We employ a two-pronged testing approach: widget testing and unit testing.
Widget testing allows us to verify the functionality and appearance of various UI components, ensuring that they work as expected.
On the other hand, unit tests target specific units of code to ensure they perform as intended. This comprehensive testing strategy gives us the confidence that our apps are robust and reliable.
Behind the polished interface of every Flutter app lies a foundation built on rigorous Flutter testing. Our commitment to quality drives us to employ a comprehensive testing strategy: widget testing and unit testing.
Deployment with Shorebird
Deploying apps can be complex, but our expertise allows us to simplify this process using Shorebird. S
horebird streamlines code management during deployment, ensuring that the right versions of code are deployed to the respective platforms.
This not only minimizes errors but also expedites the deployment process, enabling our clients to get their products in the hands of users faster.
This strategic approach isn't just about efficient deployment; it's about ensuring that the transition from Flutter development to production is smooth and error-free, bolstering your Flutter app's reliability and availability.
Collaboration with Clients
Our commitment to client satisfaction goes beyond the lines of code we craft. At Walturn, we prioritize open communication and collaboration, recognizing the invaluable role our clients play in shaping the success of their projects.
We regularly integrate client feedback into our development process, ensuring that every iteration aligns seamlessly with their vision.
Weekly meetings serve as a dedicated forum to discuss progress, address queries, and strategize for the upcoming milestones.
We believe in complete transparency, and our clients have real-time access to project management tools, providing them with insights into timelines, tasks, and overall project status.
This collaborative and transparent approach ensures that our clients are not just spectators but active contributors to the evolution of their digital solutions.
We're ready to bring your vision to life
At Walturn, we take immense pride in our software development process, underpinned by our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and client success.
From supporting diverse platforms to rigorous testing and streamlined deployment, our approach reflects our dedication to building apps that excel in functionality, user experience, and performance.
Through strategic decisions like adopting the BLoC pattern and modular UI development, we ensure that our apps are not only impactful today but are also adaptable for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow's dynamic landscape.
Together with our talented team, latest technologies, and a passion for excellence, we continue to deliver on our mission of making the world a better place, one app at a time.
