Android Life Cycle
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Introduction to Android Life Cycle
• The Android life cycle outlines how an app operates within
the Android operating system.
• Understanding this life cycle is crucial for developing
efficient and user-friendly applications.
• This presentation will cover each stage of the life cycle in
detail.
What is an Activity?
• An Activity represents a single screen in an Android app.
• It is a crucial component of the Android life cycle, managing
user interactions.
• Each Activity has its own life cycle, which is affected by
user navigation and system events.
Life Cycle States Overview
• The Android life cycle consists of various states that an
Activity can be in.
• These states include active, paused, stopped, and
destroyed.
• Each state has specific methods that the system calls,
allowing developers to manage resources effectively.
Active State
• In the active state, the Activity is in the foreground and
interacting with the user.
• This state corresponds to the onResume() method being
called.
• Developers should ensure that the Activity is responsive
and handles user input effectively.
Paused State
• When an Activity is partially obscured by another Activity, it
enters the paused state.
• The onPause() method is invoked, allowing developers to
save data or halt animations.
• In this state, the Activity is still visible but not actively
interacting with the user.
Stopped State
• The stopped state occurs when the Activity is no longer
visible to the user.
• This is triggered by the onStop() method, where developers
can release resources.
• Activities in this state can still be restarted later if needed.
Destroyed State
• The destroyed state indicates that the Activity has been
terminated.
• This is usually managed by the onDestroy() method.
• Developers should clean up resources and save data to
ensure a smooth user experience.
Starting an Activity
• Activities are started using the startActivity() method.
• This method triggers the life cycle transition from a stopped
or paused state to active.
• Developers can pass data between Activities using Intent
objects.
The onCreate() Method
• The onCreate() method is the first callback in the life cycle
of an Activity.
• Here, developers initialize the Activity and set up the user
interface.
• It is essential for restoring any saved state in case of a
configuration change.
The onStart() Method
• The onStart() method is called after onCreate() and before
the Activity becomes active.
• This is where developers can prepare resources that are
needed when the Activity is visible.
• It’s a good place to start animations or refresh data.
The onResume() Method
• The onResume() method is called when the Activity enters
the active state.
• This is where developers should start any processes that
need to run while the user interacts.
• Proper management of resources is vital to avoid
performance issues.
The onPause() Method
• The onPause() method is called when the Activity is partially
obscured.
• Developers should pause ongoing processes and save any
unsaved data.
• This method is crucial for preserving the user’s state.
The onStop() Method
• The onStop() method is invoked when the Activity is no
longer visible.
• This is where developers should release resources that are
not needed while the Activity is stopped.
• It’s an opportunity to save application data and perform
cleanup.
The onRestart() Method
• The onRestart() method is called when a stopped Activity is
about to start again.
• This allows developers to refresh the UI or reload data.
• It serves as a bridge between the stopped and active
states.
The onDestroy() Method
• The onDestroy() method is called when the Activity is
finishing or being destroyed by the system.
• Developers should perform final cleanup tasks, such as
releasing resources.
• It’s important to ensure that the application state is saved
for future use.
Configuration Changes
• Configuration changes, like screen rotation, can affect the
Activity life cycle.
• Developers can handle these changes by overriding specific
life cycle methods.
• Proper management ensures that the user experience
remains consistent.
Saving State
• The onSaveInstanceState() method allows developers to
save temporary state information.
• This data can be restored in onCreate() or
onRestoreInstanceState().
• Managing state effectively helps maintain a seamless user
experience.
Multitasking and Background Activities
• Android supports multitasking, allowing users to switch
between Activities.
• Background Activities can still run but may enter the
paused or stopped states.
• Developers should optimize performance to handle multiple
Activities efficiently.
Best Practices for Life Cycle Management
• Always release resources in the appropriate life cycle
methods to prevent memory leaks.
• Use logs to track life cycle transitions, aiding in debugging
and optimization.
• Familiarize yourself with the life cycle to enhance user
experience and application performance.
Conclusion
• Understanding the Android life cycle is essential for
developing robust applications.
• Proper management of the life cycle ensures a smooth user
experience and efficient resource usage.
• Mastering these concepts will help in building high-quality
Android applications.
• Feel free to modify any of the content to better suit your
needs!
