How to call suspend function on init?

Question

I'm a bit lost here, I dont quite get how suspend functions work yet so any tips or fix for this one?

init:

init {
    val settings = FirebaseFirestoreSettings.Builder()
        .setCacheSizeBytes(FirebaseFirestoreSettings.CACHE_SIZE_UNLIMITED)
        .build()
    db.firestoreSettings = settings
    credentials = getCredentials() // Throws 'Suspend function 'getCredentials' should be called only from a coroutine or another suspend function'
}

Suspend function:

// ... this function is defined for my repository interface
override suspend fun getCredentials(): Resource<CredentialsDTO> {
        return try {
            if(this::credentials.isInitialized)
                Resource.Success(credentials)
            else {
                val _credentials = api.getCredentials()
                credentials = _credentials 
            }
        } catch(e: Exception) {
            e.printStackTrace()
            Resource.Error("Error thrown: ${e.localizedMessage}")
        }
    }

Answer 1

You haven't told us where this init block is located, but the solution is as it says: you have to call your suspend function from a coroutine.

So what you're really asking is how you can launch a coroutine. However, this depends on where you're init ing. The suggested modern architecture is to use a ViewModel , within which you can launch your coroutine with ViewModelScope.launch . Within the launch you're free to use your suspend functions. The ViewModel , you then use in whatever view you need.

See these for details:

• Use Kotlin coroutines with lifecycle-aware components
• ViewModel Overview

This architecture will introduce some complexity at first as you learn, but is much more robust in the long term.