Android Jetpack Compose vs XML: Why you Should Make the Switch

Jetpack Compose is a declarative UI framework, which promises a simpler, more intuitive way to build UIs. But how does it compare to XML layouts? Why should you consider making the switch? This blog will explore the differences between Jetpack Compose and XML and provide reasons why you might want to embrace Jetpack Compose for your next Android app.

What does Jetpack Compose?

Jetpack Compose is a modern, fully declarative UI toolkit for building Android apps. It allows developers to build UIs using Kotlin programming language features instead of XML. Unlike traditional UI frameworks, where the UI is described through a separate markup (XML), Compose leverages Kotlin code for both logic and layout.

Comparing Jetpack Compose and XML

Let’s compare Jetpack Compose and XML across several important aspects:

1.1 Declarative vs Imperative
Jetpack Compose (Declarative)

@Composable
fun GreetingList(names: List<String>) {
    Column {
        names.forEach { name ->
            Text("Hello, $name!")
        }
    }
}

In this example, GreetingList will automatically recompose when the names list changes.

XML (Imperative)

<LinearLayout
    android:orientation="vertical"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content">
    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/hello_text"
        android:text="Hello, World!"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"/>
</LinearLayout>

1.2 Code Conciseness

Jetpack Compose: Jetpack Compose allows you to create UI components with much less code. There is no need for multiple XML files or adapter classes. All UI components can be described in one place, which makes it easier to modify and update.

@Composable
fun Counter() {
    var count by remember { mutableStateOf(0) }
    Button(onClick = { count++ }) {
        Text("Count: $count")
    }
}

XML:

With XML, you need multiple files for layouts, styles, and even helper classes like adapters for RecyclerView. This leads to a more verbose codebase and increases the cognitive load when you need to manage or modify your UI.

1.3 State Management

Jetpack Compose:

Jetpack Compose has built-in state management. The state is handled by the @Composable functions that automatically recompose when the state changes. This reduces the amount of boilerplate code for managing UI state.

XML:

In XML, you need to handle the state separately in your Kotlin or Java code. If a UI element needs to change based on a state update, you must manually notify the view, which is often done through LiveData, ViewModel, or Observer patterns.

1.4 Performance

Jetpack Compose:

Jetpack Compose is optimized for performance by default. Since it’s declarative, Compose efficiently updates only the parts of the UI that need to be updated. It doesn’t need to go through the entire view hierarchy when the state changes, making it faster and more responsive.

XML:

XML layouts can sometimes be less efficient, especially with deeply nested layouts or complex view hierarchies. XML also requires additional processing time to inflate layouts and manually update the UI.

1.5 UI Compositon

Jetpack Compose:

Composition is the foundation of Jetpack Compose. Developers describe the UI by composing smaller composables together. This allows for more flexible and reusable UI components.

@Composable
fun GreetingList(names: List<String>) {
    Column {
        names.forEach { name ->
            Text("Hello, $name!")
        }
    }
}

XML:

In XML, composing views involves creating and nesting UI elements in XML layout files, which can become cumbersome and lead to inefficient view hierarchies.

Why You Should Make the Switch to Jetpack Compose

Jetpack Compose is a modern, fully declarative UI toolkit for building Android apps. It allows developers to build UIs using Kotlin programming language features instead of XML. Unlike traditional UI frameworks, where the UI is described through a separate markup (XML), Compose leverages Kotlin code for both logic and layout.

2.1 Simplified Codebase

With Jetpack Compose, you no longer need to maintain separate XML files and Kotlin/Java code. You can write your UI directly in Kotlin using the power of functional programming. This leads to cleaner, more maintainable code that is easier to modify and refactor.

2.2 Better Integration with Kotlin

Jetpack Compose is fully integrated with Kotlin, making use of features such as lambdas, type safety, and coroutines. This seamless integration allows developers to leverage Kotlin’s full power, resulting in a more efficient and modern development experience.

2.3 Reduced Boilerplate Code

Jetpack Compose significantly reduces boilerplate code. With XML, you need to create adapters, XML layout files, and manage UI interactions separately. In Compose, everything is managed in one place, and the framework handles many things automatically, such as recompositions and state updates.

2.4 More Powerful UI Customization

Compose gives you more control over your UI components by allowing you to write custom components in a declarative way. You can customize everything from layout to animations in a way that’s more flexible and powerful compared to XML.

2.5 Improved UI Testing

With Jetpack Compose, UI testing is easier because the composable are written in Kotlin, which allows for better interaction with the code and easier setup of test cases. You can directly interact with composables in unit tests, and tools like ComposeTestRule provide powerful testing capabilities.

Considerations Before Switching

While Jetpack Compose brings many advantages, it’s important to consider some factors before making the switch:

Learning Curve: Jetpack Compose is relatively new, so there may be a learning curve for developers who are used to XML-based development.

Adoption in Existing Projects: Migrating from XML to Jetpack Compose in an existing project can be a challenge, especially for large, legacy apps.

Library Support: Not all third-party libraries and tools have full support for Jetpack Compose yet. Depending on your app’s requirements, you may need to wait or adapt to using workarounds.

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