How to Check Execution Platform in Kotlin Multiplatform Code

Discover how to efficiently determine the execution platform in Kotlin Multiplatform projects using a straightforward approach with enums and expected values.
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Understanding Execution Platforms in Kotlin Multiplatform

Kotlin Multiplatform is a powerful feature that allows developers to share code across multiple platforms such as JVM, JS, and Native. This approach can significantly reduce duplication while simplifying maintenance. However, there may arise situations where you need to check which platform your code is currently executing on.

In this guide, we will demonstrate how to check the execution platform effectively within the common module of your Kotlin Multiplatform project.

The Problem

The main challenge is how to identify whether your code is running on JVM, JS, or Native from the common module. Detecting the environment ensures that you can write platform-specific functionality only when necessary, and it enables dynamic behavior based on the platform.

You might want to do something like this:

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

The Solution

To achieve this, we can use Kotlin’s expect/actual mechanism along with enums. Here's how you can implement it:

Step 1: Define an Enum Class

First, create an enum class that represents the possible platforms:

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

This enum will serve as the type that identifies the platform.

Step 2: Use expect in the Common Module

Next, in your common module, you define an expected property that will hold the current platform:

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

This tells the Kotlin compiler that there will be an actual implementation of currentPlatform in each target module.

Step 3: Provide Implementations for Each Platform

Now, for each platform, you provide the actual implementation.

For JVM Module

In your JVM-specific module, implement the actual value:

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

For JS Module

Likewise, for the JS module, you would implement:

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

For Native Module

And for any Native implementations, you can do something similar:

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

Recap of Code Structure

At this point, your directory structure might look like this:

Common Module

JVM Module

JS Module

Native Module

Conclusion

By using the expect/actual feature along with enums, you can effectively check the execution platform in your Kotlin Multiplatform projects. This method not only keeps your code clean and modular but also leverages Kotlin’s type system to enforce correct behavior across different platforms.

Feel free to adapt this pattern for any other target platforms you may need in your project!

Now that you know how to determine the execution platform, you can utilize this knowledge to build more dynamic and responsive applications that cater to specific environments efficiently.