XML (Extensible Markup Language) plays a crucial role in Android app development, as it is used for defining the user interface (UI) and configuring various aspects of Android applications. Android uses XML files to define the structure, appearance, and behavior of the app’s user interface. Here are some basics of XML in Android and different XML files used in Android development:
In this article we will go through the basic concepts of xml in Android and different XML files used for different purpose in Android. This will help you in writing a UI code to design your desired user interface.
Layout XML Files:
Layout xml files are used to define the actual UI(User interface) of our application. It holds all the elements(views) or the tools that we want to use in our application. Like the TextView’s, Button’s and other UI elements.
Basic Layout XML Code:
<!-- RelativeLayout in which we set green color for the background -->
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:background="@color/greenColor"
tools:context=".MainActivity">
<TextView
android:id="@+id/firstTextView"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_centerHorizontal="true"
android:layout_margin="20dp"
android:padding="10dp"
android:text="First Text View"
android:textColor="@color/white"
android:textSize="20sp"
android:textStyle="bold" />
<!-- second TextView -->
<TextView
android:id="@+id/secondTextView"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_below="@+id/firstTextView"
android:layout_centerHorizontal="true"
android:layout_margin="20dp"
android:padding="10dp"
android:text="Second Text View"
android:textColor="@color/white"
android:textSize="20sp"
android:textStyle="bold" />
</RelativeLayout>Manifest xml File(Mainfest.xml)
This xml is used to define all the components of our application. It includes the names of our application packages, our Activities, receivers, services and the permissions that our application needs. For Example – Suppose we need to use internet in our app then we need to define Internet permission in this file.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
package="example.abhiandroid.MyApplication"> <!-- application package name -->
<uses-permission android:name="ANDROID.PERMISSION.INTERNET" />
<!-- define Internet Permission -->
<application
android:allowBackup="true"
android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
android:label="@string/app_name"
android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
<!-- add your Activities, Receivers, Services Names Here -->
<activity
android:name=".MainActivity"
android:label="@string/app_name">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
</application>
</manifest>Strings xml File(strings.xml)
is xml file is used to replace the Hard-coded strings with a single string. We define all the strings in this xml file and then access them in our app(Activity or in Layout XML files) from this file. This file enhance the reusability of the code.
<resources>
<string name="app_name">My Application</string>
<string name="hello_world">Hello world!</string>
<string name="action_settings">Settings</string>
<string name="login">User Login</string>
<!-- define your strings here -->
</resources>Styles xml File(styles.xml)
This xml is used to define different styles and looks for the UI(User Interface) of application. We define our custom themes and styles in this file.
<resources>
<!-- Base application theme. -->
<style name="AppTheme" parent="Theme.AppCompat.Light.DarkActionBar">
<!-- Customize your theme here. -->
</style>
</resources>Drawable xml Files:
These are those xml files that are used to provide various graphics to the elements or views of application. When we need to create a custom UI we use drawable xml files. Suppose if we need to define a gradient color in the background of Button or any custom shape for a view then we create a Drawable xml file and set it in the background of View.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
<!-- define start, center and end color for gradient -->
<gradient
android:centerColor="#0f0"
android:endColor="#00f"
android:startColor="#f00" />
</shape>Color xml File (colors.xml):
This file is used to define the color codes that we used in our app. We simply define the color’s in this file and used them in our app from this file.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<resources>
<!-- define your colors Here -->
<color name="greenColor">#0f0</color>
<color name="white">#fff</color>
</resources>Dimension xml File(dimens.xml)
This xml file is used to define the dimensions of the View’s. Suppose we need a Button with 50dp(density pixel) height then we define the value 50dp in dimens.xml file and then use it in our app from this file.
<resources>
<!-- Default screen margins, per the Android Design guidelines. -->
<dimen name="activity_horizontal_margin">16dp</dimen>
<dimen name="activity_vertical_margin">16dp</dimen><dimen name="btnheight">50dp</dimen>
</resources>