kotlin android app development course, creating signup and login features

In this course, we will learn how to implement the sign-up and login functionalities in an Android app using Kotlin. We will cover various topics starting from basic screen layouts, user information handling, communication with the server, and data storage in the database. Ultimately, we will be able to implement working sign-up and login features through a simple example app.

Table of Contents

1. Required Tools and Environment Setup

For Android app development, the following tools are needed:

  • Android Studio: The official IDE for Android app development.
  • Java Development Kit (JDK): Since Kotlin runs on the JVM, JDK is required.
  • Gradle: A tool for building projects.

In addition, we will add the libraries we will use to Gradle. After installing these tools, run Android Studio and create a new project.

2. Project Setup

When creating a new project, select the Empty Activity template and choose Kotlin as the language. Set the package name and save location, then click the Finish button to create the project.

3. Layout Design

To create the sign-up and login screens, we will create two XML layout files. Each layout will include EditText and Button components.

Login Screen Layout (login_activity.xml)

    
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent">

        <EditText
            android:id="@+id/editTextEmail"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:hint="Email" />

        <EditText
            android:id="@+id/editTextPassword"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:hint="Password"
            android:layout_below="@+id/editTextEmail"
            android:inputType="textPassword" />

        <Button
            android:id="@+id/buttonLogin"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Login"
            android:layout_below="@+id/editTextPassword" />

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/textViewSignUp"
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Don't have an account? Sign Up"
            android:layout_below="@+id/buttonLogin"
            android:layout_marginTop="16dp"
            android:clickable="true" />

    </RelativeLayout>
    
    

Sign-Up Screen Layout (signup_activity.xml)

    
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent">

        <EditText
            android:id="@+id/editTextEmail"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:hint="Email" />

        <EditText
            android:id="@+id/editTextPassword"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:hint="Password"
            android:layout_below="@+id/editTextEmail"
            android:inputType="textPassword" />

        <Button
            android:id="@+id/buttonSignUp"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Sign Up"
            android:layout_below="@+id/editTextPassword" />

    </RelativeLayout>
    
    

4. Implementing Sign-Up Functionality

To implement the sign-up functionality, create a SignupActivity.kt file. This file will contain logic for receiving the user’s email and password and processing them.

    
    package com.example.yourapp

    import android.content.Intent
    import android.os.Bundle
    import android.widget.Button
    import android.widget.EditText
    import android.widget.Toast
    import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity

    class SignupActivity : AppCompatActivity() {

        private lateinit var editTextEmail: EditText
        private lateinit var editTextPassword: EditText
        private lateinit var buttonSignUp: Button

        override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
            super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
            setContentView(R.layout.signup_activity)

            editTextEmail = findViewById(R.id.editTextEmail)
            editTextPassword = findViewById(R.id.editTextPassword)
            buttonSignUp = findViewById(R.id.buttonSignUp)

            buttonSignUp.setOnClickListener {
                val email = editTextEmail.text.toString()
                val password = editTextPassword.text.toString()

                if (email.isNotEmpty() && password.isNotEmpty()) {
                    // TODO: Add server communication tasks here
                    // Example: Move to login screen on successful sign-up
                    Toast.makeText(this, "Sign Up Successful", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
                    startActivity(Intent(this, LoginActivity::class.java))
                } else {
                    Toast.makeText(this, "Please fill in all fields", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
                }
            }
        }
    }
    
    

5. Implementing Login Functionality

The login functionality can also be implemented in a similar manner. Create a LoginActivity.kt file and write the following code.

    
    package com.example.yourapp

    import android.content.Intent
    import android.os.Bundle
    import android.widget.Button
    import android.widget.EditText
    import android.widget.Toast
    import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity

    class LoginActivity : AppCompatActivity() {

        private lateinit var editTextEmail: EditText
        private lateinit var editTextPassword: EditText
        private lateinit var buttonLogin: Button

        override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
            super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
            setContentView(R.layout.login_activity)

            editTextEmail = findViewById(R.id.editTextEmail)
            editTextPassword = findViewById(R.id.editTextPassword)
            buttonLogin = findViewById(R.id.buttonLogin)

            buttonLogin.setOnClickListener {
                val email = editTextEmail.text.toString()
                val password = editTextPassword.text.toString()

                if (email.isNotEmpty() && password.isNotEmpty()) {
                    // TODO: Add server communication logic here
                    // Move to the next screen on success, show error message on failure
                    Toast.makeText(this, "Login Successful", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
                    // Add code to move to the next screen
                } else {
                    Toast.makeText(this, "Please fill in all fields", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
                }
            }
        }
    }
    
    

6. Data Storage and Management

To save the user’s information during sign-up or login, you can set up a server or use a cloud service like Firebase. Here, we will implement it simply using Firebase.

Firebase Setup

To use Firebase’s Authentication feature, create a project in the Firebase console and connect it to your app. Add the Firebase SDK to Gradle and enable Firebase Authentication.

    
    // build.gradle (app-level)
    dependencies {
        implementation 'com.google.firebase:firebase-auth-ktx:21.0.1'
    }
    
    

Improving Sign-Up and Login Functionality

Now you can implement sign-up and login functionalities using Firebase Authentication.

    
    // SignupActivity.kt
    import com.google.firebase.auth.FirebaseAuth

    class SignupActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
        // ...
        private lateinit var auth: FirebaseAuth

        override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
            // ...
            auth = FirebaseAuth.getInstance()

            buttonSignUp.setOnClickListener {
                // ...
                auth.createUserWithEmailAndPassword(email, password)
                    .addOnCompleteListener(this) { task ->
                        if (task.isSuccessful) {
                            Toast.makeText(this, "Sign Up Successful", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
                            startActivity(Intent(this, LoginActivity::class.java))
                        } else {
                            Toast.makeText(this, "Sign Up Failed", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
                        }
                    }
            }
        }
    }
    
    
    
    // LoginActivity.kt
    import com.google.firebase.auth.FirebaseAuth

    class LoginActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
        // ...
        private lateinit var auth: FirebaseAuth

        override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
            // ...
            auth = FirebaseAuth.getInstance()

            buttonLogin.setOnClickListener {
                // ...
                auth.signInWithEmailAndPassword(email, password)
                    .addOnCompleteListener(this) { task ->
                        if (task.isSuccessful) {
                            Toast.makeText(this, "Login Successful", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
                            // Move to the next screen
                        } else {
                            Toast.makeText(this, "Login Failed", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
                        }
                    }
            }
        }
    }
    
    

7. Conclusion

In this course, we have looked closely at how to implement sign-up and login functionalities in an Android app using Kotlin. By using Android and Firebase, we can securely handle user information and provide a convenient user experience. Feel free to expand your app by adding more features.

Additionally, through this example, you have learned the basic app structure and how to use Firebase, and you can build upon this knowledge to add various functionalities. Welcome to the world of Android development, and happy coding!