Why is DataProviderManager declared with the object keyword?

Declaring a class with the object keyword in Kotlin creates a singleton. A singleton is a design pattern that ensures a class has only one instance and provides a global point of access to it. This is particularly useful for the DataProviderManager, as it allows shared access to the same instance throughout the application, facilitating consistent state management and resource utilization.

The use of an object also aids in storing state in a centralized manner, making it convenient to manage application-wide data or configuration. With a singleton instance, all components of the application can retrieve and manipulate shared data without the overhead of creating multiple instances.

Furthermore, the nature of a singleton implies that you only need one instance of that object, which can be especially advantageous in managing shared resources such as connections to databases or API clients where having multiple instances might lead to conflicts or increased resource consumption.

Therefore, the declaration of DataProviderManager with the object keyword serves multiple purposes: it establishes it as a singleton, provides convenient shared state access, and confirms that only one instance will exist in the application.