Paper 1 - Android Application Development
1. Java :
This contains the .java source files of the project. By default, it
includes an MainActivity.java source file having an activity class
that runs when your app is launched using the app icon.
2. res/drawable-hdpi:
This is a directory for drawable objects that are designed for
high-density screens.
3. res/layout
This is a directory for files that define your app's user
interface.
4. res/values
This is a directory for other various XML files that contain a
collection of resources, such as strings and colours
definitions.
5. AndroidManifest.xml
This is the manifest file which describes the fundamental
characteristics of the app and defines each of its components.
6. Build.gradle
This is an auto generated file which contains
compileSdkVersion, buildToolsVersion, applicationId,
minSdkVersion, targetSdkVersion, versionCode and
versionName
The Main Activity File
The main activity code is a Java file MainActivity.java. This is the actual application file which ultimately gets converted
to a Dalvik executable and runs your application. R.layout.activity_main refers to the activity_main.xml file located in
the res/layout folder. The onCreate() method is one of many methods that are figured when an activity is
loaded.Following is the default code generated by the application wizard for Hello World! application −
The Manifest File
Whatever component you develop as a part of your application, you must declare all its components in a manifest.xml which
resides at the root of the application project directory. This file works as an interface between Android OS and your
application, so if you do not declare your component in this file, then it will not be considered by the OS. For example, a
default manifest file will look like as following file −
Here <application>...</application> tags enclosed the components related to the application. Attribute android:icon will point to
the application icon available under res/drawable-hdpi. The application uses the image named ic_launcher.png located in the
drawable folders
The <activity> tag is used to specify an activity and android:name attribute specifies the fully qualified class name of the Activity
subclass and the android:label attributes specifies a string to use as the label for the activity. You can specify multiple activities
using <activity> tags.
The action for the intent filter is named android.intent.action.MAIN to indicate that this activity serves as the entry point for the
application. The category for the intent-filter is named android.intent.category.LAUNCHER to indicate that the application can be
launched from the device's launcher icon.
The @string refers to the strings.xml file explained below. Hence, @string/app_name refers to the app_name string defined in
the strings.xml file, which is "HelloWorld". Similar way, other strings get populated in the application.
Following is the list of tags which you will use in your manifest file to specify different Android application components −
<activity>elements for activities
<service> elements for services
<receiver> elements for broadcast receivers
<provider> elements for content providers
The Strings File
The strings.xml file is located in the res/values folder and it contains all the text that your application uses.
For example, the names of buttons, labels, default text, and similar types of strings go into this file. This file
is responsible for their textual content. For example, a default strings file will look like as following file −
