Where to put welcome activity code - java

I searched a lot but i did not find my answer. I have developed an android application where on the very first lunch user will be shown a welcome screen made of viewpager. The problem is i don't know which place is the best to put the welcome activity code in my application.
The simplest way it could be that in the main activity at the very fist line even before super.onCreate(), inside onCreate method where i try to get the shared preference value and then evaluate whether it is fist lunch. If it is, then i start the welcome activity as shown below
public class MainActivity extends Activity {
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
SharedPreferences sharedPreferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(this);
boolean welcome = sharedPreferences.getBoolean(getString(R.string.key_welcome), true);
if (welcome) {
// go and start welcoming activity
Intent intent = new Intent(this, WelcomeSlideActivity.class);
startActivity(intent);
}
super.onCreate();
}
}
But i found another approach to deal with it. It is Application class. Since Application class is the first one, which runs even before any other codes in my application. So i thought, i would be nice to do it there as shown below
public class App extends Application {
#Override
public void onCreate() {
super.onCreate();
SharedPreferences sharedPreferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(this);
boolean welcome = sharedPreferences.getBoolean(getString(R.string.key_welcome), true);
if (welcome) {
// go and start welcoming activity
Intent intent = new Intent(this, WelcomeSlideActivity.class);
intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
startActivity(intent);
}
}
}
So i am in dilemma, which one would be the best option to choose. And i am even not sure if i am doing it in the right way since there is no such documentation in android developer website or anywhere.

Have a look at how to create splash screens the correct way. https://www.bignerdranch.com/blog/splash-screens-the-right-way/
As for using the Application class - this is primarily used for Application-wide configuration for maintaining a global application state. Hence starting an activity from here does not make much sense as it's purpose has changed into becoming an entry point into the application rather than providing state for the app as a whole.
Furthermore, why not make the WelcomeSlideActivity the first 'launcher' activity? Then in there, you can create the logic of whether to launch the next activity without history or whether to show the current view.
Ideally, you should create a splash screen activity, which determines whether to show the WelcomeSlideActivity Or the MainActivity. The advantage of this is that while he app determines which Activity to launch, the user is presented with a splash screen that informs the user that the app has started

Related

Android Java onCreate

So I followed Google's first Android app sample. If I tapped the send button, it opened up the DisplayMessageActivity. But upon tapped the back button (left arrow) from the DisplayMessageActivity, the onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) of the MainActivity got called again. It looks like it created a new instance of MainActivity. I could verify this by setting a bool value in onCreate of MainActivity and it was not retained.
How do you go back to the previous instance of MainActivity (the caller)?
You should have a look at Androids Activity Lifecycle.
If you want to access the state of the activity again, I would suggest to use the method
public void onSaveInstanceState(Bundle outState)
to save the current state.
Retrieve the previously saved values in this method:
public void onRestoreInstanceState(Bundle savedInstanceState)`
An example can be found here
You can call finish() in the onClickListener of the back arrow view. It will finish the DisplayMessageActivity and you will return to the caller activity (MainActivity in your case).
Something like:
backArrow.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
#Override
public void onClick(View v) {
finish();
}
});
It looks like it created a new instance of MainActivity.
Yes, I think, that was quite a normal behavior.
Basically, Android OS would keep only one Activity at once so that free as many memory resources as possible.
You should design your application with understanding about such lifecycle concepts.
You can save some of the states of your Activity in certain manners (Parcelable, Bundle or SharedPreferences, etc.).

How do I change the main xml file from another activity?

I am very new to Java. I am doing a school project at the moment and I have my main activity, then I have a settings activity. I am trying to modify the xml from the main activity with the settings activity. I am able to modify the settings xml file with the settings.java, but I would like to modify the main activity xml with settings.java
public class Settings extends AppCompatActivity {
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_settings);
// Get the Intent that started this activity and extract the string
Switch switchButton;
final RelativeLayout mRelativeLayout = (RelativeLayout) findViewById(R.id.activity_settings);
final RelativeLayout mRelativeLayoutMain = (RelativeLayout) findViewById(R.id.activity_main);
switchButton = (Switch) findViewById(R.id.switch1);
switchButton.setChecked(true);
switchButton.setOnCheckedChangeListener(new CompoundButton.OnCheckedChangeListener() {
#Override
public void onCheckedChanged(CompoundButton compoundButton, boolean bChecked) {
if (bChecked) {
mRelativeLayoutMain.setBackgroundColor(Color.GRAY);
mRelativeLayout.setBackgroundColor(Color.GRAY);
} else {
mRelativeLayoutMain.setBackgroundColor(Color.WHITE);
mRelativeLayout.setBackgroundColor(Color.WHITE);
}
}
});
if (switchButton.isChecked()) {
mRelativeLayoutMain.setBackgroundColor(Color.GRAY);
mRelativeLayout.setBackgroundColor(Color.GRAY);
} else {
mRelativeLayoutMain.setBackgroundColor(Color.WHITE);
mRelativeLayout.setBackgroundColor(Color.WHITE);
}}
public void toast1(View view) {
android.widget.Toast.makeText(this, "Created by Cody Walls and Tommy Serfas", android.widget.Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
/*public void switch1(View view) {
ScrollView mScrollView = (ScrollView) findViewById(R.id.scrollView);
mScrollView.setBackgroundColor(Color.GRAY);
}*/
}
In the Code I am trying to change the background of the main activity xml with :
mRelativeLayoutMain.setBackgroundColor(Color.GRAY);
and when I run the app and click the intent it will crash with the error:
"java.lang.NullPointerException: Attempt to invoke virtual method
'void android.widget.RelativeLayout.setBackgroundColor(int)' on a null
object reference"
I think the easiest way is to create an PreferenceManager.SharedPreferences, in which I recommend you to store current app data. This will help you not to loose any changes in app after you exit the it. Here is short instructions:
Create button in settings activity which will change something in main activity.
Create onClickListener for your button.
Use .SharedPreferences to store was you button clicked or not. (I recommend storing boolean variables, this way you can store was button clicked or not.)
I both of your activities in onCreate method call .getSharedPreferences to read saved app values. (I mean to read was the button clicked or not.)
Use app values you got from 4. to change any element in activity. (For example if you stored that button was clicked, then change some TextView text or etc.)
I hope you understood the idea.
Link to the Android developer tutorial about App key values storing & saving
Link to the StackOverflow much easier explanation & examples
There are a couple of ways of doing this (Some of which depends on how you are switching back and forth from each activity). It also depends on what things you are changing.
From your settings page, as you are changing different settings, you'll save this content within Preferences. (You can see more how to use Preferences here: https://examples.javacodegeeks.com/android/core/ui/settings/android-settings-example/ or by just Googling it).
On you main activity, depending on how you come back to it (onStart most likely), you can setup the things you need to programmatically.
So, you may need to do a little research on the Android lifecycle and how each cycle works (https://developer.android.com/guide/components/activities/activity-lifecycle.html), how to program the UI programmatically through Java (http://startandroid.ru/en/lessons/220-lesson-16-creating-layout-programmatically-layoutparams.html), and the Preferences Android library to save certain settings.
The xml isn't meant to be "altered". You can change the UI programmatically. It's possible to build an Android app without any xml. When Android was first built, it didn't use the xml to create the UI. It was all done through Java. It was then added to use xml to create your activities or fragments or any UI component. This made things easier for more static activities or activities with very little dynamic content.

How to open not main activity when restart my application in android

I made an app worked in background using background service when the user clicked specific button (start button) , the user can stop the application task by restart this application and open it again .. then the user can stop the app by clicking on the stop button.
I use this code snippet to let the app close its UI and return to home screen and before that set the start button on disable mode ...
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_MAIN);
intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_HOME);
intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
startActivity(intent);
Unfortunately, when I open my app again I start from the main activity which is not contains the start button and stop button and when I swipe to the second activity that contains the buttons I find the start button enabled i.e. the previous task of the background service is lost ??!!
could any one provide me by the solution.
Every time you open your app the buttons are enabled by default(excepting those which are disabled from the start).
So you need to saved this state to retain it's state.
Here
is how to retain and restore the state.
You have to take a look at Android application lifecycles, when your app goes to the background it will get to the state onPause() and later to onStop(), what you want is saving your application state for later use, take a look at this thread: Saving Activity state in Android I think the top answer is what you want to do.
You have to save the status of your button, and then load the status later.
You could use SharedPreferences to store your wanted activity.
Then check it right after MainActivity start, to decide change to new activity or not
//check when start app
public class MainActivity extends Activity{
public static SharedPreferences sharedPreferences;
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
...
sharedpreferences = getSharedPreferences("WantedActivity", Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
if (sharedPreferences.contains("SavedActivityName"))
{
if(sharedPreferences.getString("SavedActivityName","").equals( "ActivityName"))
{
Intent intent = new Intent(getApplicationContext(), ActivityName.class);
startActivity(intent);
}
}
}
}
//save wanted activity
SharedPreferences.Editor editor = sharedPreferences.edit();
editor.putString("SavedActivityName", "ActivityName");
editor.commit();

Android How to get Last Focused Activity after "Force Stop" the Application

I am developing android Application having number of activities. The requirement of the application is When i "FORCESTOP" the application manually(Settings->Applications->ManageApplication->APP_NAME->FORCESTOP), the last focused activity(UI Page) to be displayed. Can i get the Last focused Activity after *FORCESTOP*ing the Application? Please help me with the sample code.
You should keep track of each activity change and save it to file (e.g. in your sharedpreferences) immediately when the change happens. Something like this
protected void onResume() {
SharedPreferences.Editor edit = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(this.getApplicationContext()).edit();
edit.putString("LastActiveActivity", this.getClass().getName());
edit.commit();
super.onResume();
}
Make sure you save the current activity in the onResume() method of all your activities.
When you restart you can read the last activity back from your preferences. This should be done in the onCreate() method of your main activity (the one that is specified as "LAUNCHER" in your manifest). Then start the activity with the name you've read back.

Android: How NOT to save instance state?

My app has login, once the access is granted, it creates a new html file to the sdcard, the output or the appearance of that html file depends on the account of the logger.
After writing, the app goes to the next activity
Intent nextActivity = new Intent(MyMainAct.this, AppView.class);
startActivity(nextActivity);
the AppView class is the next activity in which the UI is a webview. It views the html created on login.
When I click "login as different user" button, I go back to the Main Activity which is MyMainAct. I use the following code:
Intent nextActivity = new Intent(AppView.this, MyMainAct.class);
startActivity(nextActivity);
When I logged in again (as different user), I expected a different UI since the html created is different. But it did not happen. The same html of the first logger is presented by the webview.
I looked into the html code created by the second logger, it is different from the first. but the webview presents the html of the first logger.
Is it about instance state? That's what I think, that's why I don't want to save instance state (bundle).
EDIT:
How do I ignore savedInstanceState of my App?
my MainActivity:
public void onCreate(Bundle icicle) {
super.onCreate(icicle);
my AppView Activity:
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState){
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
Make sure that when user chooses the "login as different user" option, activity showing the HTML is finished (i.e. call the finish method on it). If you then ignore the savedInstanceState parameter in its onCreate event (which you likely do, I presume), the next time this activity is started it will be totally new instance of it.
Try this and see if it works.
Intent nextActivity = new Intent(AppView.this, MyMainAct.class);
startActivity(nextActivity);
finish();

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