Difference of StateFlow, SharedFlow and LiveData
A short note about StateFlow, SharedFlow, and LiveData
StateFlow, SharedFlow, and LiveData are three terms that Android Devs should be familiar with to handle the data observation. So, what are the similarities and differences between them?
Similar
StateFlow, SharedFlow, and LiveData all work as the base theory that acts like a server object, that broadcasts data value to their clients.
Difference
LiveData
Is an Android Framework class, that can bind with the Android Component Lifecycle
Can have an initial value or not (default is null); LiveData is coded by Java
Be able to post the same data values multiple times (by increasing the version of the LiveData Object)
Is Hot; multiple consumers can observe on the same LiveData Object
The consumer logic will execute on the caller thread of setValue (or Main Thread if we call postValue)
The consumer will collect the latest value of the LiveData Object when it calls the observe function.
Can access the value of LiveData via .value
StateFlow
Is a Kotlinx class, that can work independently as a language framework and not depend on the OS framework.
Inherit of Kotlin Flow (Kotlin Flow is Cold), but acting as Hot
Working with kotlin coroutines
Need initial value
A new consumer only gets the latest value of the StateFlow Object.
Not able to post the same data values multiple times, the value stream has to be distinct
Comment: Kotlin StateFlow is born to replace Android LiveData. To make Android development less depend on Android Framework.
SharedFlow
Is a Kotlinx class, that can work independently
Inherit of Kotlin Flow (Kotlin Flow is Cold) but acting as Hot
Working with kotlin coroutines
DON’T need initial value
New consumers can get more than 1 value of SharedFlow Object (this depend on SharedFlow setup for replay and buffer)
Be able to post the same data value multiple times
Comment: Kotlin SharedFlow is born to handle the Event in your application. But be careful when using it