From Clunky Code to Killer Features: A Flutter App Developer's Journey Refactoring Findit

So, you're diving into the world of Flutter app development? Ever wonder what it's really like to wade into an existing project and transform it from the inside out? I'm here to tell you my story of joining Vivasoft Limited and becoming a Flutter developer on Findit.

Findit is a marketplace app with the potential to connect buyers and sellers. But honestly, when I started, the codebase needed some serious TLC. Here's how we tackled it, feature by feature.

Code Rescue: Refactoring for a Scalable Foundation

The first major challenge? Refactoring the app's core. The architecture was tangled, making updates a nightmare. We didn’t follow the clean architecture, and we had a lot of tightly coupled code.

The Goal: Decouple business logic, UI, and data layers.
The Team: Through collaboration, senior mobile app developers guided us, and we separated things into modules and implemented state management improvements.
The Result: A more modular, maintainable, scalable, and testable app!

This was a collaborative effort! A solid foundation meant we could build new features without the whole thing collapsing.

Supercharged Search: Implementing Debounce Improves App Performance

Next up: the search function. Every keystroke fired off an API call. Talk about overkill! By using debouncing with BLoC state management, I was able to improve the search performance.

Problem: Server overload and slow response times.
Solution: Debouncing. Now, the app waits until you stop typing to search.
Impact: Reduced server load, and a much smoother, faster user experience!

This dramatically cut down on server load and gave users a faster, more responsive search experience.

The OTP input screen was functional but clunky. Users had to manually navigate between fields.

Improvement 1: Automatic cursor transitions between fields.
Improvement 2: Refined layout for clarity.

Simple tweaks, huge impact. Users can now breeze through OTP verification.

Shimmer Magic: Keeping Users Engaged During Loading

Blank loading screens are a user experience killer. People wonder if the app is even working!

The Fix: Shimmer loading effects.
The Result: A subtle visual cue that tells users data is on its way.

Shimmer effects keep users engaged, preventing frustration and making the app feel polished.

Star Power: Boosting Seller Visibility and Trust

We wanted to reward top sellers and build trust in the marketplace. The solution? A Star Seller system that builds trust with buyers.

The System: Badge system based on sales and feedback.
The Benefit: Top sellers get recognized, attracting more buyers.

Implementing this added a layer of trust, boosting both seller performance and overall sales.

Bug Squashing and Filter Finesse: Enhancing Product Discovery

No app is perfect. We constantly fixed bugs and improved existing features.

Focus: The filtering system.
Challenge: Inconsistent results for different categories.
Outcome: Accurate and efficient filtering, so users find what they need, faster.

Flutter App Development: The Team Effort

The journey isn’t over! We will keep refining the app. Developing Findit has been an incredible experience!

The project started with challenges and room for improvement, but through hard work, collaboration, and dedication, we’ve turned it into something that’s better, faster, and more user-friendly. It's a journey of learning and growth, and the best part is—it’s far from over.