Droidcon Boston '19: A Dozen Techniques for Everyday DSLs

Unlock the power of Kotlin DSLs! Ready to elevate your Kotlin code beyond the ordinary? This session dives into practical applications of Kotlin's DSL features, showing you how to transform everyday Kotlin into more expressive and maintainable code.

You don't need to build the next Gradle or Anko – even smaller projects benefit from Kotlin DSL techniques. We'll cover the core Kotlin features essential for building DSLs, including:

• Lambdas: A cornerstone of concise and flexible DSLs.
• Infix Notation: Write code that reads more naturally.
• @DslMarker: The key to defining your DSL structure.

But it's more than just the syntax. This talk explores the why and how of effective DSL design. Learn:

• DSL Design Goals: Define what you want to achieve with a DSL.
• Kotlin Feature Optimization: Master using Kotlin's capabilities for DSL creation.
• Design Patterns for DSLs: Discover proven patterns like:
  • Nested Builders: Create complex, hierarchical DSLs.
  • Context Passing to Lambdas: Make your DSL code more fluent and readable.
  • Parameter Order Swapping: Improve code clarity and intent.
  • Syntax Cleanup: Reduce boilerplate and enhance readability.

Discover a dozen+ DSL techniques to transform ordinary builders into powerful, language-like interfaces. Learn how to incrementally evolve your code from simple improvements into fully-fledged Kotlin Domain Specific Languages. By the end, you'll be equipped with a wealth of ideas to harness the full potential of Kotlin DSLs and write more elegant, maintainable code.