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Abstract visualisation of a Android chat app like Slack

How to build a Slack like messaging experience on Android

Italo Orihuela
Italo Orihuela
Engineer
Android
Aug 19, 2023

In the world of digital communication, organization is key. Whether it’s for a small team project or a large community discussion, having a well-structured communication platform can significantly improve productivity and user experience. One of the ways to achieve this is through the use of channels and subchannels, a feature that is commonly seen in popular communication platforms like Slack. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of creating and managing subchannels on Android using the Amity SDK.

Pre-requisites

Before we dive in, ensure you have the following:

- Android Studio installed on your system.

- A basic understanding of the Kotlin programming language.

- Amity SDK integrated into your Android project.

Authentication and Login

Before you can start creating and managing subchannels, you need to authenticate your user. Here’s how you can do it using the Amity SDK:

After initializing the SDK, you need to authenticate your user. Here’s a simple way to do it:

This code snippet authenticates your user by setting up the AmityCoreClient with your API key and endpoint. The endpoint is an optional parameter and defaults to the Singapore region if not specified.

Step 1: Understanding Subchannels

Subchannels are essentially separate chat threads within a channel. They allow users to discuss different topics under the same channel, making conversations more organized and manageable. In Amity, a channel can have up to 300 subchannels, and they are supported for `Conversation` and `Community` channel types.

Step 2: Creating a Subchannel

Creating a subchannel in Amity requires two parameters: `channelId` and `displayName`. The `channelId` is the unique identifier of the parent channel where the subchannel will be created, while the `displayName` is the public name of the subchannel that will be visible to users. Here’s how you can create a subchannel:

Step 3: Updating a Subchannel

Updating a subchannel’s properties is straightforward. The `updateSubChannel` function requires two parameters: `subchannelId` and `displayName`. The `subchannelId` is the unique identifier of the subchannel you want to update, and the `displayName` is the new name of the subchannel.

Step 4: Querying Subchannels

To retrieve a list of subchannels within a specific channel, you can use the `getSubChannels` function. This function accepts the `channelId` parameter and returns a live collection of subchannels.

Final Thoughts

By mastering the use of subchannels, you can create a communication platform that is not only efficient but also user-friendly. This feature allows users to easily navigate through different topics and engage in relevant discussions. With the Amity SDK, creating a Slack-like communication platform on Android is simple and straightforward. So, why wait? Start building a more organized and efficient communication tool for your users today!