In Android, we normally store a static JSON files in the `raw` directory, and then it can be accesse...

# multiplatform

[Avadhut]

In Android, we normally store a static JSON files in the raw directory, and then it can be accessed as a normal file.
What's the equivalent approach for handling such static files in shared KMP code?
Thanks!

[Raed Ghazal]

what are the chances, I’m working on that just now 😄

[Raed Ghazal]

so you have 2 options:
1. Moko resources (still trying to implement it right now)

[Raed Ghazal]

2. doing it natively,
in my case I had the json file in assets directory, so I accessed it normally from android, then added it to the iosApp directory and accessed it in iosMain natively as well, let me share the snippets

[Raed Ghazal]

iosMain

import kotlinx.cinterop.ExperimentalForeignApi
import platform.Foundation.NSBundle
import platform.Foundation.NSString
import platform.Foundation.NSUTF8StringEncoding
import platform.Foundation.stringWithContentsOfFile

actual class AssetsReader {
    @OptIn(ExperimentalForeignApi::class)
    actual fun readFile(fileName: String): String {
        val path = NSBundle.mainBundle.pathForResource("data", ofType = "json")
            ?: throw Exception("data.json File not found")
        return NSString.stringWithContentsOfFile(path, NSUTF8StringEncoding, null)
            ?: throw Exception("failed to encode data.json file")
    }
}

[Avadhut]

Using this way we have to store the json file in each platform's code right? It can't be stored in shared?

[Raed Ghazal]

yes this way it will be stored in each platform on its own, thats what natively basically mean

[Raed Ghazal]

libraries do the same but behind the scene, they generate the platform specific files from the shared module

[Raed Ghazal]

btw, androidMain

import android.content.Context

actual class AssetsReader constructor(private val context: Context) {
    actual fun readFile(fileName: String): String {
        val file = context.assets.open("quran_data.json")
        return file.bufferedReader().readText()
    }
}

[Raed Ghazal]

but to save your time if you are okay with using a library for your resouces, use moko resources, makes it easier to have strings, images, assets all in one place (shared module) then the library does the job for you

[Avadhut]

Got it

[Avadhut]

I'll check both approaches, thanks a lot!

[McEna]

You could go with the platform-based approach and still use a single directory for your files. Just add a gradle task to copy the files from your common directory to the expected destination in both platforms.