CM-503 Android Programming
UNIT 2
COMPONENTS, ACTIVITY LIFE CYCLE, INTENTS
2.1 Android Application Components
Android apps are made up of four main components. Each plays a specific
role in how the app functions, interacts with users, or connects with the
system and other apps.
2.1.1 Activities (User Interface)
🔹 What is an Activity?
An Activity is a single screen with a user interface.
Every app must have at least one Activity.
It’s like a window in a desktop application.
🔸 Life Cycle of an Activity:
Activities have a lifecycle managed by the Android system:
Method When it is called
onCreate(
When the activity is first created
)
onStart() When the activity becomes visible
onResum When the activity starts interacting
e() with user
When the activity goes into
onPause()
background partially
onStop() When the activity is no longer visible
onDestro
When the activity is destroyed
y()
Example Use Cases:
LoginActivity: To take user credentials
MainActivity: To show app content
SettingsActivity: To change app preferences
Manifest Declaration:
<activity android:name=".MainActivity" />
2.1.2 Services (Background Work)
🔹 What is a Service?
A Service performs background operations without providing a user
interface.
Used when you want an operation to continue even if the app is closed.
🔸 Types of Services:
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Type Description
Started Starts using startService() and runs in
Service background
Bound Binds with other components and
Service provides data
Foreground Shows notification and keeps running
Service actively
🧩 Example Use Cases:
Music player running in background
Uploading images in background
Location tracking app
Manifest Declaration:
<service android:name=".MyService" />
✅ 2.1.3 Content Providers (Data Sharing)
🔹 What is a Content Provider?
Allows data sharing between different applications.
Provides read/write access to private app data.
🔸 Use of Content URIs:
URIs identify the data to operate on.
Example:
Uri uri = [Link].CONTENT_URI;
🔸 Important Methods:
Metho
Purpose
d
query(
Read data
)
insert() Add data
update Modify existing
() data
delete(
Remove data
)
🧩 Example Use Cases:
Reading phone contacts
Accessing image gallery
Syncing data across apps
Manifest Declaration:
<provider
android:name=".MyContentProvider"
android:authorities="[Link]"
android:exported="true" />
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2.1.4 Broadcast Receivers (System Message Listener)
🔹 What is a BroadcastReceiver?
It responds to system-wide broadcast events.
Acts like a listener waiting for system or app events.
🔸 Two Types:
Type Registered In When Used
AndroidManifest. For system events
Static
xml (boot)
Dynam Java code at For app-specific
ic runtime events
🧩 Example Use Cases:
Low battery alert
Alarm or notification trigger
Airplane mode ON/OFF detection
Manifest Declaration:
<receiver android:name=".MyReceiver">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="[Link].BOOT_COMPLETED"/>
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
✅ Summary of Android Application Components
User
Component Description Used For
Interface
Represents app
Activity ✅ UI logic and interaction
screen
Performs background
Service ❌ Audio playback, downloads
tasks
ContentProvi Shares app data Contacts, gallery, file
❌
der securely sharing
Listens to
BroadcastRec Battery, boot, SMS received,
system/app ❌
eiver airplane mode
messages
Android Activity Lifecycle
Activity Lifecycle in Android
What is an Activity?
An Activity is a single screen in an Android app that allows the user to
interact with the app.
It is the entry point for user interaction.
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Example: Login screen, Home screen, Settings screen—all are
activities.
What is the Activity Lifecycle?
The Activity Lifecycle is the set of states an activity goes through
from creation to destruction.
The Android system calls specific lifecycle methods at each stage
to manage the activity's behavior.
Lifecycle Methods and Their Purpose
Method Description
onCreate( Called when the activity is first created. Used to set up UI and
) initialize variables.
onStart() Called when the activity becomes visible to the user.
onResum
Called when the activity is ready for user interaction.
e()
Called when the activity is partially hidden (e.g., another
onPause()
activity pops up).
onStop() Called when the activity is completely hidden.
onRestart Called if the activity is coming back to the foreground after
() being stopped.
onDestro Called before the activity is destroyed, either by the user or
y() system.
Example Usage of Each Method:
Method Use Case Example
onCreate( Load UI from XML layout, initialize
) views
Start animations, connect to data
onStart()
sources
onResum Resume paused tasks, restart
e() music/video
Pause ongoing tasks, save
onPause()
unsaved data
Release heavy resources,
onStop()
disconnect APIs
onRestart Re-initialize components before
() resuming
onDestro Final clean-up before activity is
y() closed
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🎯 Importance of Activity Lifecycle:
Helps manage app resources efficiently.
Prevents memory leaks and crashes.
Ensures better performance and user experience.
Essential for handling interruptions like incoming calls, app switching,
etc.
Activity Lifecycle in Android – Flow Explanation (Image-Based)
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This flowchart shows how an Activity behaves from launch to shutdown with
all lifecycle methods and possible transitions based on system/user actions.
1. Activity Launched
When a user opens an app or navigates to a new screen (activity), the
lifecycle begins.
Three methods are called in sequence:
onCreate()
Called first when the activity is created.
Used for:
o Initializing components
o Loading the UI (via setContentView())
o Setting up variables and listeners.
onStart()
Called after onCreate().
The activity is now visible to the user but not interactive.
onResume()
Called after onStart().
Now the activity is interactive and in the foreground.
This is where animations, video/audio playback, and user input begin.
At this stage, the activity is in the “Running” state.
2. User Interaction and System Events
onPause()
Called when:
o A new activity partially covers the current one.
o The system needs to temporarily shift focus.
The activity is still partially visible, but not focused.
Save minimal state (e.g., pause video).
onStop()
Called when:
o The activity is completely hidden (not visible).
o The user navigates away or starts another full-screen activity.
Stop resource-heavy operations like animations, sensors, etc.
3. Returning to the Activity
onRestart()
Called if the user returns to the activity after onStop().
Followed by onStart() and then onResume() again.
The activity is revived and brought to the foreground.
4. Activity is Destroyed
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onDestroy()
Called when:
o The user closes the activity.
o The system destroys the activity to free up memory.
Final clean-up is done here (like closing DB, stopping threads).
5. App Process Killed
If memory is very low, the system may kill the app process.
Next time user navigates back, onCreate() will be called again from
scratch.
Summary of Flow Transitions:
Event/Action Lifecycle Callback
Launch activity onCreate() → onStart() → onResume()
New activity opens on top onPause()
Activity completely hidden onStop()
User returns to activity onRestart() → onStart() → onResume()
User or system closes
onPause() → onStop() → onDestroy()
activity
System kills process (low App is destroyed without calling
memory) lifecycle methods
Demo Android App to Demonstrate Activity Lifecycle in Android
import [Link];
import [Link];
import [Link];
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
[Link](savedInstanceState);
setContentView([Link].activity_main);
Toast toast = [Link](getApplicationContext(), "onCreate
Called", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
protected void onStart() {
[Link]();
Toast toast = [Link](getApplicationContext(), "onStart
Called", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
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@Override
protected void onRestart() {
[Link]();
Toast toast = [Link](getApplicationContext(), "onRestart
Called", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
protected void onPause() {
[Link]();
Toast toast = [Link](getApplicationContext(), "onPause
Called", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
protected void onResume() {
[Link]();
Toast toast = [Link](getApplicationContext(), "onResume
Called", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
protected void onStop() {
[Link]();
Toast toast = [Link](getApplicationContext(), "onStop Called",
Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
protected void onDestroy() {
[Link]();
Toast toast = [Link](getApplicationContext(), "onDestroy
Called", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
}
2.3 & 2.4 INTENTS in Android
2.3 Define Intents
An Intent is a fundamental building block in Android for communication
between components. Definition:
An Intent is an abstract description of an operation to be performed. It
allows an app to request an action from another app component (e.g.,
launching an activity, sending data, opening a web page, etc.).
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Key Characteristics of Intents:
Enables component communication within and across apps.
Can carry data from one component to another.
Intents are used with:
o Activities (to start/stop or switch screens)
o Services (to start background operations)
o Broadcast receivers (to deliver system-wide messages)
2.4 INTENTS
Role of Intents in Android:
Intents act as messengers in the Android system. They help connect
components like:
Activity to Activity
Activity to Service
App to external app (like Camera, Contacts, Browser)
Broadcasting messages to the system or apps
2.4.1 Exploring Intent Objects (with fields)
The Intent class is a Java object that contains:
Field Purpose Example
Intent.ACTION_VIEW,
Action Defines what to do
ACTION_SEND
Data URI data to act upon "content://contacts/1"
Extras Key-value data to send putExtra("key", "value")
Compon The target activity or
[Link]
ent service
Categor Info about the kind of
Intent.CATEGORY_LAUNCHER
y component
Flags Controls how activity is FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK
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Field Purpose Example
launched
Constructor Example:
Intent intent = new Intent(context, [Link]);
[Link]("Name", "Javeed");
2.4.2 Types of Intents
1. Explicit Intents
Target is known (you specify the class name).
Used within the same app.
Intent i = new Intent(this, [Link]);
startActivity(i);
2. Implicit Intents
No specific class is mentioned.
Android searches apps/components that can handle the request.
Intent i = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
[Link]([Link]("[Link]
startActivity(i);
Intent
When to Use Example
Type
Start another screen in same Intent(this,
Explicit
app [Link])
Ask system to choose Open camera, share text,
Implicit
appropriate app view URL
2.4.3 Linking Activities Using Intents
Why link activities?
To move from one screen to another (like Login → Dashboard).
To pass data from one activity to another.
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Example 1: Simple Activity Switch
In [Link]
Intent intent = new Intent([Link], [Link]);
startActivity(intent);
In [Link]
<activity android:name=".SecondActivity"/>
Example 2: Passing Data Between Activities
🔹 Sending:
Intent intent = new Intent(this, [Link]);
[Link]("username", "Javeed");
startActivity(intent);
🔹 Receiving:
Intent intent = getIntent();
String name = [Link]("username");
[Link]("Welcome, " + name);
Example 3: Calling System Apps with Implicit Intents
Purpos
Intent
e
Dialer Intent(Intent.ACTION_DIAL, [Link]("[Link]
Intent(Intent.ACTION_SENDTO,
SMS
[Link]("smsto:123456789"))
Intent(Intent.ACTION_SENDTO,
Email
[Link]("[Link]
Web Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW,
Page [Link]("[Link]
Summary Table:
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Intent
Details
Feature
Used for Starting Activities, Services, Broadcasts
Types Explicit & Implicit
Contains Action, Data, Extras, Component
Real Use Moving between screens, Sending emails,
Cases Opening camera
2.5 Creation of Android Application That Switches
Between Activities
This topic demonstrates how to navigate between two screens
(Activities) using Explicit Intents in Android. It’s one of the fundamental
features every Android app uses for screen-to-screen communication.
Objective:
Create an Android application with two activities, where the user can
move from the MainActivity to SecondActivity, and optionally return.
Steps to Create the Application
🔹 Step 1: Create a New Project
1. Open Android Studio
2. Click "New Project"
3. Choose Empty Activity
4. Name it SwitchActivityApp
5. Finish
Android Studio automatically creates [Link] or [Link] with
activity_main.xml.
🔹 Step 2: Add SecondActivity
1. Right-click on java > [Link]
2. Select: New > Activity > Empty Activity
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3. Name it: SecondActivity
4. Click Finish
This adds:
[Link] (or .kt)
activity_second.xml
Registers it in [Link]
🔹 Step 3: Design Layout for Both Activities
activity_main.xml
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="[Link]
android:orientation="vertical" android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent" android:gravity="center">
<Button
android:id="@+id/buttonSwitch"
android:text="Go to Second Activity"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"/>
</LinearLayout>
activity_second.xml
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="[Link]
android:orientation="vertical" android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent" android:gravity="center">
<TextView
android:text="Welcome to Second Activity"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"/>
</LinearLayout>
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🔹 Step 4: Code in [Link]
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
Button buttonSwitch;
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
[Link](savedInstanceState);
setContentView([Link].activity_main);
buttonSwitch = findViewById([Link]);
[Link](new [Link]() {
@Override
public void onClick(View view) {
Intent intent = new Intent([Link], [Link]);
startActivity(intent);
}
});
}
}
🔹 Step 5: [Link] (Auto-added but verify)
<activity android:name=".SecondActivity" />
🔹 Step 6: Run the App
Click Run ▶️in Android Studio
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App opens with a button: "Go to Second Activity"
Click it → Navigates to the SecondActivity
Optional: Add "Back to MainActivity" in SecondActivity
activity_second.xml (Add button):
<Button
android:id="@+id/buttonBack"
android:text="Go Back"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"/>
[Link]
Button buttonBack = findViewById([Link]);
[Link](v -> finish()); // Closes current activity
Summary
Concept Description
Used to start another
Intent
Activity
Explicit Specifies the class to be
Intent opened
Activity Each screen in Android
Manifest Declares all components
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