An Ultimate Guide to Using MVVM Architecture in Flutter

Today’s era is driven by mobile apps and that’s not just a stochastic statement but a legitimate truth. Enterprises all over the world are also recognizing the relevance of mobile apps for the current marketplace and thus focusing on building apps that solve user problems, and collaborate with a purpose proactively. From functionalities to tech stack and top programming languages, there is a lot to consider when it comes to developing an app.

Mulling over a wide range of components might give you an overall idea of creating mobile app development strategies. But to develop a fully structured mobile app, you need to understand the set of techniques and patterns. And that’s when mobile app architecture ropes in. While there are so many architectures to follow for app development, MVVM architecture is a design pattern that targets UI/ UX design platforms supported by event-driven programming. Many businesses are now also collaborating with a Flutter app development company, as they believe that the apps built with MVVM help in separating the responsibilities of the code base further leading to performing logic of actions in app development.

Having said that, this article will contemplate how the MVVM architecture pattern is the right choice for your Android or iOS app project. Stay tuned!

What Is MVVM Architecture?

Without sounding utterly technical, MVVM (Model View ViewModel) is a design architecture that facilitates the breakup of design principles, commonly known as the separation of development by tech amateurs, into distinct sections of GUI. The basic ideology behind implementing best practices of mobile app architecture is to build a “View Model” that can represent data through a view.

The reason why a majority of developers, whether it comes to Android or iOS app design, favor MVVM is because it separates the Activity and Fragment from the business logic. To write a flexible codebase, app developers are required to build a View-Model layer that can be appropriated by certain ‘Views’. Moreover, MVVM architecture also helps developers in automating the propagation of modifications inside the View-Model to the view. The inclusion of the MVVM framework in a project protects it from getting messy and unmaintainable.

Three Vital Components of MVVM Architecture in Flutter

The MVVM design pattern is managed by three major components that are Model, View, and ViewModel. These key elements help to set up a block for the whole codebase of the MVVM design pattern. While each component has a different role and functionalities, the logical interaction between these components during the development of the app plays a major role. In MVVM architecture, the view interacts with the view model for data binding, and the view model communicates with the model. To understand why MVVM is important for your app project, it is essential to perceive each element diligently. So let’s begin.

Model

The primary role of the model in MVVM is to implement the business logic in the design pattern which functions only based upon the source of data needed in an activity. In layman’s terms, the model element of the MVVM architecture pattern is used to represent the real-time data that will ultimately be utilized in app development.

The best thing about the model is to show the interaction between all the components altogether by fetching data from a room database. If we have to define the model in a single sentence, we can say – it is an element that stores data and related logic of the architecture.

View

View stands for UI components like HTML, and CSS. In MVVM, View is responsible for the presentation layer in the design pattern and is an entry point to the application. When we talk about the MVVM architecture benefits, the attributes of view are well-hailed. There is a set of hierarchy that is maintained between each MVVM model while demonstrating the interaction. For eg – the view never interacts with the model directly but through the ViewModel. All the data that are gathered by the model component helps in creating the presentation data for the view element. The view element executes UI-UX design logic and requests the model to resent the output to the user.

ViewModel

Apart from working as a mediator between the Model and View components, ViewModel implements the data and commands connected to the View in MVVM architecture to notify the latter element of state changes. There is a ViewModel Android example to carry out different undertakings such as creating a subclass or adding dependency etc. ViewModels can be bound to one or more models.
The role of ViewModel in the MVVM design pattern is to support the state of the view and act as a logic layer of the whole MVVM architecture community. It would not be wrong to cite ViewModel as the integral of all that makes the Model sustain the actual data, and the View part encapsulates the updated data keeping the controller as a gateway between them.

MVVM Architecture Android vs MVVM Architecture iOS

While the primary goal of the MVVM architecture model is to catalyze the separation of the development of the graphical user interface, the enactment of carrying out the process of doing so could be different as per the operating system. MVVM is an architecture that is seemingly designed to operate for the mobile OS. With that said, let’s have a quick peek into the considerate difference between the Android and iOS app development solutions helmed by MVVM based on three major elements i.e. – design pattern, the interaction between components, and reusability are given below.

Design Pattern

The majority of the developers use Model View ViewModel iOS design pattern to work on large-sized projects in which the chances of source code getting compromised are higher. When the iOS developers take the MVVM architecture into account for the creation of an app to be released on the iOS platform, the UI code and constructions follow a plain structure. On the other hand, the MVVM design pattern Android enables developers to be mindful of the GUI techniques and patterns that are being used from a business and presentation point of view.

Interaction Between Components

MVVM, in terms of forming coordination, functions the same in both systems. Most of the developers while using MVVM architecture get confused about what component to put first. The View is the primary and the most integral aspect of the MVVM framework followed by Model and ViewModel. The break between the coordination in any of these elements will lead to code errors and architectural bugs. However, it is better to keep in mind the integration of MVVM either for Android or iOS is not viable for simple UI by the developers.

Reusability

The MVVM architecture reusability pattern is considered best among other design frameworks when it comes to deploying a similar app with an all-new approach. With the help of the single view model class, the usability of MVVM components by including Android JetPack facilitates the development of robust apps. However, when it comes to iOS, the theory of utilizing the same architecture pattern and code falls flat. The MVVM design pattern seems to gain confusing advancements when rolling out with view-dependent in-charge conceptualization. Hence, in the reusability aspect, MVVM in Android comes out clean.

MVVM Architecture Flutter + Example

With billions of apps being developed every year, ensuring that yours follows a unique approach to stand out is provocative. The only means of counting the success of your app is to take all the necessary architectural factors into systematic consideration and carry through the same in a way that it can eventually fulfill your dream of becoming a one-of-its-kind app in the market. Since MVVM architecture has already gained traction for developing mobile apps for different platforms, the use of MVVM in writing Flutter applications would be something interesting to witness.

Let’s talk about Flutter first and then we will get to the terms with its interoperability with the MVVM model. Flutter is an open-source SDK backed by Google. With the help of the Flutter mobile app development framework, the developers can create Android as well as iOS apps using a single codebase. The principle of the MVVM design pattern is platform-agnostic and is ideal to get along with Flutter. The widget in Flutter can be looked up as the View element, the ViewModel helps the web service to present the business logic model in the development process while the Model represents the integral data of the app which can further be classified into a particular displayable entity.

MVVM Architecture Flutter Example

When it comes to developing an entire app or just a widget about MVVM architecture in the Flutter example, there is an API key implementation that should be kept in mind to perform a successful request for the function command. The operation needs to take place from the View component that would move to ViewModel in which separate view models in an application would be created followed by the Model that would eventually reflect the logical interpretation of the design that has been implemented into the application.

MVVM Architecture Benefits For Android And iOS Apps

The fundamental objective of the mobile app architecture pattern in app development is to reinforce the mobile app development strategies with a wide spectrum of techniques based on industry and vendor-specific standards that ultimately boost the formulation of the app, either Android or iOS. A question that is discomfiting most of the project owners is – Why MVVM is important for your app? In other words, the question proposes – “the wonder what this design pattern can do with your app.”

The MVVM, an abbreviated variant of Model View ViewModel, aims to separate the application into three logical components and subsequently handle specific development aspects of an app. Though the market is swamped with so many architectural patterns that improve application performance and device capabilities, the MVVM particularly focuses on the importance of solution architecture levying a better UI experience for the users. Besides managing and presenting data objects, the MVVM architecture has plenty of benefits to offer, some of which are listed below.

Loosely Coupling & Reusability

When it comes to understanding the whole concept of introducing MVVM architecture in the app design process, it can be identified as the pattern that firmly makes the developers distinguish between loosely coupled and tightly coupled applications. Coupling is the dependency factor of designing in-app and there are architectural designs that have tight coupling which ultimately increases the maintenance cost of website development and decreases reusability of the component. MVVM architecture comes with loose coupling to achieve separation of responsibilities and enhance loose coupling levels. On the other hand, the reusability factor allows the codes to be utilized for building design patterns in other applications as well.

Promotes Independent Code Development

MVVM is an independent architecture model that provides the data as an output through the view. The entire codebase of the MVVM pattern is devised in a way that overcomes the common hiccups that most architectural patterns fall victim to. With its three primary components, the MVVM architecture retrieves and holds onto the objects through a service. When it comes to MVVM Android Architecture or iOS architecture patterns designing, the MVVM model promotes independent development of the app. Since the code architecture and simplifying the design pattern is the core objective of developers, the MVVM design pattern approach will solve several problems that persist during the design framework of an app, and considering all the important aspects deliver a great outcome at the end of the project.

Elevate Testability

MVVM design patterns in Android or iOS are seemingly picking up steam in the market helmed by skilled developers. The majority of the developers believe that MVVM is readable, scalable, and testable as compared to other architecture design models. Out of all the components, ViewModel has a huge responsibility that representing the data and initiating the testing case in the MVVM architecture model. It is the ViewModel that makes the View component reusable and testable making it easier to complement the unit test business logic. Due to the dependency of this element, commencing the test cases becomes a little less complex.

Maintainability & Mapping

While some developers might find the mobile app performance metrics and shareability feature of MVVM architecture a bit uneasy and complex, the maintainability of MVVM architecture benefits to the model is coherent and simplified keeping the additional requirements in mind. The interlocking of maintainability provides maximum extensibility with distinct separation of boundaries.
The ability to substitute or add new blocks of code during the application process is an ideal thing to consider to suitably place the codes in the app infrastructure. Also, the mapping feature in MVVM architecture is unmatched. The MVVM model uses one-to-many mapping between the View and the ViewModel.

List of Top Apps Built With MVVM Architecture In Flutter

MVVM is one of the most loved architecture patterns followed by a team of developers to build an app either on Flutter, Kotlin, or any other programming language. Multiple apps have been developed on the MVVM (Model View ViewModel) architecture in Flutter. Look at some example apps that have been created using MVVM design patterns.

Google Ads

An online advertising app developed by Google. This platform allows businesses to create online ads to reach audiences that are interested in the offered products and services. Apart from creating ads, this Flutter-based app helps marketers manage and optimize online advertising campaigns as well. 

Entrena Pro (Train Pro in English)

Entrena Pro is a Spanish app that enables users to find the best professional or sports center nearby. This app falls in the fitness category and is created using Flutter development tools with an MVVM architecture pattern. Entrena Pro acts as a stage of interaction for athletes, sports coaches, and sports centers. 

Cryptomaniac Pro

Cryptomaniac Pro is another name in the list of apps created with Flutter and MVVM design patterns. Cryptomaniac Pro is an app that helps users get the most accurate cryptocurrency signals, blockchain technology trends, and cryptocurrency news. This one acts as a personal assistant trader for the users.

PostMuse

It is one of the highly-pertained Instagram story-maker apps with extra features like adding text and emojis to photos. Post Muse is developed on Flutter using MVVM architecture design devising all the components. This app gives users the avenue to personalize their Instagram posts and stories

Pairing

Flutter programming language in amalgamation with the MVVM model helped companies to develop engaging social media and dating apps. And one of the acclaimed apps built with MVVM using Flutter is Pairing. It is a dating app that helps users find the right companion. Those who are looking for a relationship partner find this application very useful.

How Appventurez Can Help Develop Apps With MVVM Design Patterns Using Flutter Language?

Since the MVVM architecture model is favored by most app development companies, the combinative factor of Flutter and MVVM together leads the app to provide enhanced data to the view. The separation between the View layer and the ViewModel layer accelerates the efficiency of the codebase. Flutter is an open-source programming language that uses Dart and this makes it a great fit for the app that is being devised on MVVM patterns.
The struggle to understand the basic entity of the MVVM model could be hard for the project owners and keeping that in mind, we at Appventurez, come forward to give you a deep understanding of the MVVM design pattern deployed with Flutter for app building. To get an insight into the same, get in touch with our experts who are eagerly waiting to help you in any way possible.