Project: Panvel App

Introduction

The Panvel pharmacies project was a significant milestone in my career as a mobile developer. It was the first major e-commerce app I participated in development.

The Project

The main goal was to create an intuitive and efficient shopping app for Panvel's customers. The app needed to display categories, subcategories, product listings, and allow users to add items to their cart. Additionally, the application had to support discount coupons and dynamic feature modification through Firebase Remote Config.

Technologies Used

1. React Native: We chose React Native to develop the mobile app, allowing us to create a consistent experience across iOS and Android devices.
2. Node.js and ExpressJS: The BFF (Backend for Frontend) was written in Node.js, leveraging the power of ExpressJS to create routes and handle app requests.
3. Firebase Remote Config: This tool allowed us to dynamically adjust app settings remotely without requiring app store updates.

App Development

Architecture

The app was divided into reusable components such as Categories, Products, and the Shopping Cart. We used Redux to manage global state and ensure a smooth user experience. Given Panvel's design team's high standards for animations, we incorporated the Lottie library to add high-quality animations to the app.

Integration with the BFF

The BFF acted as an intermediary layer between the app and backend services. It communicated with RESTful APIs provided by Panvel's services, including the product catalog and discount coupons.

Firebase Remote Config

Firebase Remote Config allowed us to dynamically adjust app behavior without releasing a new version. For example, we could enable or disable features, change error messages, and even customize the user interface based on user segments.

Challenges and Learnings

• Performance: Ensuring the app was responsive and fast, especially when loading extensive product lists.
• Security: Securing communications between the app and BFF, as well as user authentication.
• Testing: Creating unit and integration tests to maintain code quality.

Conclusion

Contributing to the development of Panvel's E-commerce app was an incredible opportunity. We learned a lot about architecture, service integration, and creating an exceptional shopping experience for users. Leveraging React Native, Node.js, and Firebase Remote Config allowed us to build a robust and flexible app. Additionally, interacting with experienced professionals greatly contributed to my growth.