This article discusses a developer’s journey to streamline Android application development, drawing parallels with the efficiency found in enterprise systems like Oracle, SAP, and 1C.

The author notes that traditional enterprise platforms automatically provide functional user interfaces for common data operations—such as listing, adding, editing, or deleting records—simply by defining a database table. This allows developers to prioritize business logic over infrastructure.

In contrast, Android development often presents a significant hurdle. Even for basic ideas, developers must typically undertake extensive setup: defining entities, writing Data Access Objects (DAOs), creating repositories, building ViewModels, designing forms with Compose, and wiring up navigation. This boilerplate, the author explains, can consume days before a concept is even visible.

To address this challenge, the author developed a framework called Compose Entity. The core concept is straightforward: by merely defining an entity, the framework automatically generates the corresponding SQLite table, DAO, repository, default UI forms, and navigation. While customization of forms with bespoke Composables remains an option, it is not mandatory.

A code example illustrates this, showing how a single annotated data class, such as RefPersones, can instantly yield a fully functional database table, DAO, repository, and a complete UI for record management.

Regarding database migrations, Compose Entity adopts a deliberate approach. New tables are created automatically. However, changes to existing tables, such as adding or removing fields, require developers to write explicit ALTER TABLE statements. This method, though seemingly less automated, is highlighted for its benefits: ensuring predictability, granting full control over data evolution, and enabling compile-time checks to maintain consistency between entities and the database schema.

The author shares this framework, emphasizing its ability to reduce boilerplate by approximately 90%, thereby accelerating idea validation from days to minutes. This efficiency mirrors the workflow appreciated in traditional enterprise systems. The author invites feedback from the Android development community on the viability and usefulness of this approach, prompting discussion on whether it offers a valuable alternative to entirely manual development.

For those interested in exploring Compose Entity, a project template and a full example application are available via provided links.