Blog Topics: App Architecture

Architecture Fundamentals

  1. MVC in iOS: Still relevant? - Modern interpretation
  2. MVVM basics - ViewModel, binding, separation
  3. MVP pattern explained - Presenter vs ViewModel
  4. VIPER architecture - When it makes sense
  5. Clean Architecture for iOS - Layers, boundaries
  6. The Composable Architecture (TCA) - Overview and trade-offs
  7. Unidirectional data flow - Redux-like patterns in Swift
  8. Choosing an architecture - Decision framework
  9. Architecture vs over-engineering - Right-sizing your approach
  10. Refactoring legacy MVC - Incremental improvements

Modular Design

  1. Monolith to modules: Why modularize - Benefits, costs
  2. Feature modules explained - Boundaries and dependencies
  3. Shared modules: Core, UI, Networking - Common abstractions
  4. Module communication patterns - Protocols, notifications, delegates
  5. Dependency graph visualization - Keeping it clean
  6. Swift Package Manager for modular apps - Local packages
  7. Framework vs Package vs Target - Choosing the right unit
  8. Build times and modularity - Incremental compilation wins
  9. Testing modules in isolation - Mock boundaries
  10. Demo apps for modules - Independent development

Dependency Management

  1. Dependency Injection basics - Constructor, property, method
  2. DI containers in Swift - Swinject, Factory, DIY
  3. Protocol-based dependencies - Testable by design
  4. Environment-based DI in SwiftUI - @Environment patterns
  5. Service Locator vs DI - Trade-offs
  6. Circular dependencies: How to break them - Refactoring strategies
  7. Lazy dependency resolution - Performance considerations
  8. Scoped dependencies - Per-screen, per-session
  9. Mocking dependencies for previews - SwiftUI previews
  10. Compile-time vs runtime DI - Type safety trade-offs

Testing Architecture

  1. Unit testing basics - XCTest fundamentals
  2. Testing ViewModels - Inputs, outputs, state
  3. Testing async code - Expectations, async/await
  4. Mocking network layers - URLProtocol, mock services
  5. Snapshot testing - UI regression prevention
  6. Integration testing - Testing real dependencies
  7. UI testing strategies - When and how
  8. Test doubles: Mock vs Stub vs Fake vs Spy - Definitions
  9. Testing Core Data - In-memory stores
  10. Test coverage: What to aim for - Quality over quantity

Clean Code

  1. SOLID principles in Swift - Practical examples
  2. Single Responsibility Principle - One reason to change
  3. Open/Closed Principle - Extensions over modifications
  4. Liskov Substitution Principle - Protocol conformance
  5. Interface Segregation - Small, focused protocols
  6. Dependency Inversion - Abstractions over concretions
  7. DRY vs WET vs AHA - Duplication trade-offs
  8. Code smells in Swift - Common anti-patterns
  9. Refactoring safely - Small steps, tests first
  10. Naming conventions - Clarity over brevity

Data Layer

  1. Repository pattern - Abstracting data sources
  2. Data mappers - DTO to domain models
  3. Caching strategies - Memory, disk, network
  4. Offline-first architecture - Local-first sync
  5. CoreData in clean architecture - Keeping it contained
  6. SwiftData architecture - Modern persistence
  7. Keychain abstraction - Secure storage wrapper
  8. UserDefaults wrapper - Type-safe preferences
  9. File storage patterns - Documents, caches, temp
  10. Database migrations - Safe schema changes

Networking Layer

  1. Network layer abstraction - Protocol-based design
  2. API client patterns - Generic request handling
  3. Request/Response models - Codable best practices
  4. Error handling in network layer - Typed errors
  5. Authentication handling - Token refresh, retry
  6. Request interceptors - Logging, headers, auth
  7. Pagination patterns - Cursor, offset, infinite scroll
  8. Caching network responses - URLCache, custom cache
  9. Retry logic - Exponential backoff
  10. Network reachability - NWPathMonitor patterns
  1. Coordinator pattern - Flow management
  2. Router pattern - Centralized navigation
  3. Deep linking architecture - URL handling
  4. NavigationStack programmatic navigation - Path-based
  5. Sheet and modal coordination - Presentation management
  6. Tab-based navigation architecture - State preservation
  7. Navigation state restoration - Persist and restore
  8. Universal links handling - Associated domains
  9. Push notification navigation - Handling taps
  10. Onboarding flow architecture - First-run experience

State Management

  1. App state vs View state - Separation of concerns
  2. Global state patterns - When it’s okay
  3. State machines for complex flows - Finite states
  4. Redux-like state in Swift - Actions, reducers, store
  5. Combine for state management - Publishers and subjects
  6. @Observable for shared state - iOS 17+ patterns
  7. Undo/Redo architecture - Command pattern
  8. Optimistic updates - UI before confirmation
  9. State synchronization - Multi-screen consistency
  10. Persisting app state - Scene restoration

Advanced Patterns

  1. Plugin architecture - Extensible apps
  2. Feature flags architecture - Runtime configuration
  3. A/B testing infrastructure - Experiment framework
  4. Analytics abstraction - Provider-agnostic tracking
  5. Logging architecture - Levels, destinations, formatting
  6. Error reporting abstraction - Crashlytics, Sentry wrapper
  7. Background processing architecture - BGTaskScheduler
  8. Widget architecture - Sharing code with main app
  9. App extensions architecture - Share, Today, Intents
  10. Multi-platform architecture - iOS, macOS, watchOS sharing