Develop Reference

Refreshing a Loader without discarding previous data

I'm writing an Android application that uses an AsyncTaskLoader handled by a LoaderManager to acquire some data. The data can be modified upstream when the app is open, but as loading the data is time-consuming I check if it has been modified first.
I cache the result and the last-modified field, and my loadInBackground() method first checks if the upstream data has been modified before loading the actual data. Checking the upstream last-modified field is also time-consuming, and therefore must be done inside the AsyncTaskLoader, not on the UI thread.
public class DataActivity extends Activity implements LoaderManager.LoaderCallbacks<LoadedData> {
// ...
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
// ...
getLoaderManager().initLoader(0, null, this);
}
private void reloadData() { // called from various locations
getLoaderManager().restartLoader(0, null, this);
}
#Override
public Loader<LoadedData> onCreateLoader(int i, Bundle bundle) {
return new DataLoader(this);
}
#Override
public void onLoadFinished(Loader<LoadedData> loader, LoadedData result) {
setActivityLoadingState(false);
updateShownData(result);
}
#Override
public void onLoaderReset(Loader<LoadedData> loader) {}
private static class DataLoader extends AsyncTaskLoader<LoadedData> {
private LoadedData lastData;
private int lastModified = -1;
GameListLoader(DataActivity activity) {
super(activity);
}
#Override
public LoadedData loadInBackground() {
int currentModified = getUpstreamLastModified();
if (currentModified == lastModified)
return lastData;
LoadedData currentData = getUpstreamData();
lastData = currentData;
lastModified = currentModified;
return currentData;
}
#Override
protected void onStartLoading() {
forceLoad();
setActivityLoadingState(true);
}
}
}
Now, I noticed that the LoaderManager.restartLoader method creates a new Loader every time, which discards my cache entirely, and loads the data every time.
Is there a way to ask the AsyncTaskLoader to refresh (i.e. call its startLoading, as I have onStartLoading calling forceLoad) from the LoaderManager? Or should I not be using LoaderManager or AsyncTaskLoader at all?

Android Change view content while invisible

I have two layouts, which have views inside that have changeable content and I switch between them by making them VISIBLE and INVISIBLE
Contents of view depends on response of REST service and I have to change content of specified view when response is got.
But REST service runs on background which doesn't wait for the layout which is VISIBLE.
I am applying changes to related views within Runnable called in runOnUIThread from background Thread
It looks OK so far, but is it OK to make changes on INVISIBLE layout's child View?
Sample:
when HTTP 200 is returned from server:
public void success(retrofit.client.Response response, retrofit.client.Response ignore) {
String out = new String();
TypedInput body = response.getBody();
try {
out = getString(response);
runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
txtStuCounter.setText(out);
} catch (Exception e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
and TimerTask switches between views with calling function below depending on time:
private void showHideCourse(boolean show) {
if (show) {
if (isMultiple == false) {
layoutCourse.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
layoutMCourse.setVisibility(View.INVISIBLE);
txtStuCounter.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
} else {
layoutMCourse.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
layoutCourse.setVisibility(View.INVISIBLE);
txtStuCounter.setVisibility(View.INVISIBLE);
}
if (!noSchedule) {
//DersProgrami yururlukte
layoutSchedule.setVisibility(View.INVISIBLE);
isSchedule = false;
} else {
//Toplanti salonu videosu
logoView.stopPlayback();
wasVideoPlaying = false;
logoView.setVisibility(View.INVISIBLE);
}
}
}

use this one in xml layout
android:visibility="gone"
or use this inside your class
object.setVisibility(View.GONE);

I think Loaders are the best solution to your problem to load data in backGround
and update UI
See Example:
private LoaderManager.LoaderCallbacks<Cursor> favouriteLoaderCallbacks = new LoaderManager.LoaderCallbacks<Cursor>() {
#Override
public Loader<Cursor> onCreateLoader(int id, Bundle args) {
return new AsyncTaskLoader<Cursor>(getContext()) {
#Override
protected void onStartLoading() {
forceLoad();
}
#Override
public Cursor loadInBackground() {
// do your back ground work here ...
}
#Override
public void onLoadFinished(Loader<Cursor> loader, Cursor mCursor) {
// set you visibilty Here...
}
#Override
public void onLoaderReset(Loader<Cursor> loader) {
}
};
then intit the loaser in onCreate Methode
getLoaderManager().initLoader(FAVOURITE_LOADER_ID, null, favouriteLoaderCallbacks);
Read More
Loaders

Android Loader vs AsyncTask on button tap

I have an activity which requires no data from server on load - just plain init for ui
UI has several buttons.
User clicks one of them and app sends request to server (rest call)
While request is processing spinner is shown (for about 10 seconds)
For now it uses AsyncTask - so if app changes portrait to landscape - activity is restarted and I loose the process
Second option is to use Loader - the problem is that it is started on button tap - not on activity start
This leads to many exceptions - when LoaderManager sends events to non-started item
Is there any solution?
few comments:
- 10 seconds is just for example
- lock user to one orientation is not an option
- service is overkill for simple rest call

public class TestActivity extends FragmentActivity {
private Button one;
private Button two;
private final int ONE_ID = 0;
private final int TWO_ID = 1;
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
one = (Button) findViewById(R.id.one);
two = (Button) findViewById(R.id.two);
one.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
#Override
public void onClick(View v) {
getLoaderManager().restartLoader(ONE_ID, null, callbacks);
}
});
two.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
#Override
public void onClick(View v) {
getLoaderManager().restartLoader(ONE_ID, null, callbacks);
}
});
Loader<AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result>> loader = getLoaderManager().getLoader(ONE_ID);
if (loader != null) {
getLoaderManager().initLoader(ONE_ID, null, callbacks);
}
loader = getLoaderManager().getLoader(TWO_ID);
if (loader != null) {
getLoaderManager().initLoader(TWO_ID, null, callbacks);
}
}
public static class AsyncTaskLoaderResult<E> {
public E data;
public Bundle args;
}
public static class Result {
}
private LoaderManager.LoaderCallbacks<AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result>> callbacks = new LoaderManager.LoaderCallbacks<AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result>>() {
#Override
public Loader<AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result>> onCreateLoader(int id, Bundle args) {
/**
* according different Id, create different AsyncTaskLoader
*/
switch (id) {
case ONE_ID:
return new OneAsyncTaskLoader(TestActivity.this);
case TWO_ID:
return new TwoAsyncTaskLoader(TestActivity.this);
}
return null;
}
#Override
public void onLoadFinished(Loader<AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result>> loader, AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result> data) {
/**
* handle result
*/
switch (loader.getId()) {
}
getLoaderManager().destroyLoader(loader.getId());
}
#Override
public void onLoaderReset(Loader<AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result>> loader) {
}
};
public static class OneAsyncTaskLoader extends AsyncTaskLoader<AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result>> {
private AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result> result;
public OneAsyncTaskLoader(Context context) {
super(context);
}
#Override
protected void onStartLoading() {
super.onStartLoading();
if (result != null) {
deliverResult(result);
} else {
forceLoad();
}
}
#Override
public AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result> loadInBackground() {
/**
* send request to server
*/
result = new AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result>();
result.data = null; // result.data comes from server's response
return result;
}
}
public static class TwoAsyncTaskLoader extends AsyncTaskLoader<AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result>> {
private AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result> result;
public TwoAsyncTaskLoader(Context context) {
super(context);
}
#Override
protected void onStartLoading() {
super.onStartLoading();
if (result != null) {
deliverResult(result);
} else {
forceLoad();
}
}
#Override
public AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result> loadInBackground() {
/**
* send request to server
*/
result = new AsyncTaskLoaderResult<Result>();
result.data = null; // result.data comes from server's response
return result;
}
}
}

First, you can eliminate the orienatation change issue by declaring
android:configChanges="orientation"
or savedInstanceState()
But the real problem here is having the user stare at a spinner for 10 seconds. Most users aren't going to be patient enough for this. I don't know what your app is doing so its hard to give an accurate suggestion but I can say that you need to do your network stuff in your AsyncTask but allow the user to do other things
You can allow the user to do other things while the AsyncTask finishes or put that code in a [Service(http://developer.android.com/guide/components/services.html). Either way, don't make your users stare at a screen for 10 seconds of spinning...they won't be YOUR users for long

If you're using an AsyncTask for this you might want to either use a Service instead or use onRetainNonConfigurationInstance or Fragment.setRetainInstance to allow the AsyncTask to live through configuration changes.
Or disable configuration changes: I've used that in the past with some success.

Here's a good article on the subject:
http://www.javacodegeeks.com/2013/01/android-loaders-versus-asynctask.html
Anyways, as #codeMagic mentioned, AsyncTask with android:configChanges="orientation|screenSize" should be enough for you (it prevents activity from being recreated on config changes)

Android. Fragment getActivity() sometimes returns null

In developer console error reports sometimes I see reports with NPE issue. I do not understand what is wrong with my code. On emulator and my device application works good without forcecloses, however some users get NullPointerException in fragment class when the getActivity() method is called.
Activity
pulic class MyActivity extends FragmentActivity{
private ViewPager pager;
private TitlePageIndicator indicator;
private TabsAdapter adapter;
#Override
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
pager = (ViewPager) findViewById(R.id.pager);
indicator = (TitlePageIndicator) findViewById(R.id.indicator);
adapter = new TabsAdapter(getSupportFragmentManager(), false);
adapter.addFragment(new FirstFragment());
adapter.addFragment(new SecondFragment());
indicator.notifyDataSetChanged();
adapter.notifyDataSetChanged();
// push first task
FirstTask firstTask = new FirstTask(MyActivity.this);
// set first fragment as listener
firstTask.setTaskListener((TaskListener) adapter.getItem(0));
firstTask.execute();
}
indicator.setOnPageChangeListener(new ViewPager.OnPageChangeListener() {
#Override
public void onPageSelected(int position) {
Fragment currentFragment = adapter.getItem(position);
((Taskable) currentFragment).executeTask();
}
#Override
public void onPageScrolled(int i, float v, int i1) {}
#Override
public void onPageScrollStateChanged(int i) {}
});
}
AsyncTask class
public class FirstTask extends AsyncTask{
private TaskListener taskListener;
...
#Override
protected void onPostExecute(T result) {
...
taskListener.onTaskComplete(result);
}
}
Fragment class
public class FirstFragment extends Fragment immplements Taskable, TaskListener{
public FirstFragment() {
}
#Override
public View onCreateView(LayoutInflater inflater, ViewGroup container, Bundle savedInstanceState) {
return inflater.inflate(R.layout.first_view, container, false);
}
#Override
public void executeTask() {
FirstTask firstTask = new FirstTask(MyActivity.this);
firstTask.setTaskListener(this);
firstTask.execute();
}
#Override
public void onTaskComplete(T result) {
// NPE is here
Resources res = getActivity().getResources();
...
}
}
Maybe this error happens when applications resumed from background. In this case how I should handle this situation properly?

It seems that I found a solution to my problem.
Very good explanations are given here and here.
Here is my example:
pulic class MyActivity extends FragmentActivity{
private ViewPager pager;
private TitlePageIndicator indicator;
private TabsAdapter adapter;
private Bundle savedInstanceState;
#Override
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
....
this.savedInstanceState = savedInstanceState;
pager = (ViewPager) findViewById(R.id.pager);;
indicator = (TitlePageIndicator) findViewById(R.id.indicator);
adapter = new TabsAdapter(getSupportFragmentManager(), false);
if (savedInstanceState == null){
adapter.addFragment(new FirstFragment());
adapter.addFragment(new SecondFragment());
}else{
Integer count = savedInstanceState.getInt("tabsCount");
String[] titles = savedInstanceState.getStringArray("titles");
for (int i = 0; i < count; i++){
adapter.addFragment(getFragment(i), titles[i]);
}
}
indicator.notifyDataSetChanged();
adapter.notifyDataSetChanged();
// push first task
FirstTask firstTask = new FirstTask(MyActivity.this);
// set first fragment as listener
firstTask.setTaskListener((TaskListener) getFragment(0));
firstTask.execute();
}
private Fragment getFragment(int position){
return savedInstanceState == null ? adapter.getItem(position) : getSupportFragmentManager().findFragmentByTag(getFragmentTag(position));
}
private String getFragmentTag(int position) {
return "android:switcher:" + R.id.pager + ":" + position;
}
#Override
protected void onSaveInstanceState(Bundle outState) {
super.onSaveInstanceState(outState);
outState.putInt("tabsCount", adapter.getCount());
outState.putStringArray("titles", adapter.getTitles().toArray(new String[0]));
}
indicator.setOnPageChangeListener(new ViewPager.OnPageChangeListener() {
#Override
public void onPageSelected(int position) {
Fragment currentFragment = adapter.getItem(position);
((Taskable) currentFragment).executeTask();
}
#Override
public void onPageScrolled(int i, float v, int i1) {}
#Override
public void onPageScrollStateChanged(int i) {}
});
The main idea in this code is that, while running your application normally, you create new fragments and pass them to the adapter. When you are resuming your application fragment manager already has this fragment's instance and you need to get it from fragment manager and pass it to the adapter.
UPDATE
Also, it is a good practice when using fragments to check isAdded before getActivity() is called. This helps avoid a null pointer exception when the fragment is detached from the activity. For example, an activity could contain a fragment that pushes an async task. When the task is finished, the onTaskComplete listener is called.
#Override
public void onTaskComplete(List<Feed> result) {
progress.setVisibility(View.GONE);
progress.setIndeterminate(false);
list.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
if (isAdded()) {
adapter = new FeedAdapter(getActivity(), R.layout.feed_item, result);
list.setAdapter(adapter);
adapter.notifyDataSetChanged();
}
}
If we open the fragment, push a task, and then quickly press back to return to a previous activity, when the task is finished, it will try to access the activity in onPostExecute() by calling the getActivity() method. If the activity is already detached and this check is not there:
if (isAdded())
then the application crashes.

Ok, I know that this question is actually solved but I decided to share my solution for this. I've created abstract parent class for my Fragment:
public abstract class ABaseFragment extends Fragment{
protected IActivityEnabledListener aeListener;
protected interface IActivityEnabledListener{
void onActivityEnabled(FragmentActivity activity);
}
protected void getAvailableActivity(IActivityEnabledListener listener){
if (getActivity() == null){
aeListener = listener;
} else {
listener.onActivityEnabled(getActivity());
}
}
#Override
public void onAttach(Activity activity) {
super.onAttach(activity);
if (aeListener != null){
aeListener.onActivityEnabled((FragmentActivity) activity);
aeListener = null;
}
}
#Override
public void onAttach(Context context) {
super.onAttach(context);
if (aeListener != null){
aeListener.onActivityEnabled((FragmentActivity) context);
aeListener = null;
}
}
}
As you can see, I've added a listener so, whenever I'll need to get Fragments Activity instead of standard getActivity(), I'll need to call
getAvailableActivity(new IActivityEnabledListener() {
#Override
public void onActivityEnabled(FragmentActivity activity) {
// Do manipulations with your activity
}
});

The best to get rid of this is to keep activity reference when onAttach is called and use the activity reference wherever needed, for e.g.
#Override
public void onAttach(Context context) {
super.onAttach(context);
mContext = context;
}
#Override
public void onDetach() {
super.onDetach();
mContext = null;
}
Edited, since onAttach(Activity) is depreciated & now onAttach(Context) is being used

Don't call methods within the Fragment that require getActivity() until onStart in the parent Activity.
private MyFragment myFragment;
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)
{
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
FragmentTransaction ft = getSupportFragmentManager().beginTransaction();
myFragment = new MyFragment();
ft.add(android.R.id.content, youtubeListFragment).commit();
//Other init calls
//...
}
#Override
public void onStart()
{
super.onStart();
//Call your Fragment functions that uses getActivity()
myFragment.onPageSelected();
}

I've been battling this kind of problem for a while, and I think I've come up with a reliable solution.
It's pretty difficult to know for sure that this.getActivity() isn't going to return null for a Fragment, especially if you're dealing with any kind of network behaviour which gives your code ample time to withdraw Activity references.
In the solution below, I declare a small management class called the ActivityBuffer. Essentially, this class deals with maintaining a reliable reference to an owning Activity, and promising to execute Runnables within a valid Activity context whenever there's a valid reference available. The Runnables are scheduled for execution on the UI Thread immediately if the Context is available, otherwise execution is deferred until that Context is ready.
/** A class which maintains a list of transactions to occur when Context becomes available. */
public final class ActivityBuffer {
/** A class which defines operations to execute once there's an available Context. */
public interface IRunnable {
/** Executes when there's an available Context. Ideally, will it operate immediately. */
void run(final Activity pActivity);
}
/* Member Variables. */
private Activity mActivity;
private final List<IRunnable> mRunnables;
/** Constructor. */
public ActivityBuffer() {
// Initialize Member Variables.
this.mActivity = null;
this.mRunnables = new ArrayList<IRunnable>();
}
/** Executes the Runnable if there's an available Context. Otherwise, defers execution until it becomes available. */
public final void safely(final IRunnable pRunnable) {
// Synchronize along the current instance.
synchronized(this) {
// Do we have a context available?
if(this.isContextAvailable()) {
// Fetch the Activity.
final Activity lActivity = this.getActivity();
// Execute the Runnable along the Activity.
lActivity.runOnUiThread(new Runnable() { #Override public final void run() { pRunnable.run(lActivity); } });
}
else {
// Buffer the Runnable so that it's ready to receive a valid reference.
this.getRunnables().add(pRunnable);
}
}
}
/** Called to inform the ActivityBuffer that there's an available Activity reference. */
public final void onContextGained(final Activity pActivity) {
// Synchronize along ourself.
synchronized(this) {
// Update the Activity reference.
this.setActivity(pActivity);
// Are there any Runnables awaiting execution?
if(!this.getRunnables().isEmpty()) {
// Iterate the Runnables.
for(final IRunnable lRunnable : this.getRunnables()) {
// Execute the Runnable on the UI Thread.
pActivity.runOnUiThread(new Runnable() { #Override public final void run() {
// Execute the Runnable.
lRunnable.run(pActivity);
} });
}
// Empty the Runnables.
this.getRunnables().clear();
}
}
}
/** Called to inform the ActivityBuffer that the Context has been lost. */
public final void onContextLost() {
// Synchronize along ourself.
synchronized(this) {
// Remove the Context reference.
this.setActivity(null);
}
}
/** Defines whether there's a safe Context available for the ActivityBuffer. */
public final boolean isContextAvailable() {
// Synchronize upon ourself.
synchronized(this) {
// Return the state of the Activity reference.
return (this.getActivity() != null);
}
}
/* Getters and Setters. */
private final void setActivity(final Activity pActivity) {
this.mActivity = pActivity;
}
private final Activity getActivity() {
return this.mActivity;
}
private final List<IRunnable> getRunnables() {
return this.mRunnables;
}
}
In terms of its implementation, we must take care to apply the life cycle methods to coincide with the behaviour described above by Pawan M:
public class BaseFragment extends Fragment {
/* Member Variables. */
private ActivityBuffer mActivityBuffer;
public BaseFragment() {
// Implement the Parent.
super();
// Allocate the ActivityBuffer.
this.mActivityBuffer = new ActivityBuffer();
}
#Override
public final void onAttach(final Context pContext) {
// Handle as usual.
super.onAttach(pContext);
// Is the Context an Activity?
if(pContext instanceof Activity) {
// Cast Accordingly.
final Activity lActivity = (Activity)pContext;
// Inform the ActivityBuffer.
this.getActivityBuffer().onContextGained(lActivity);
}
}
#Deprecated #Override
public final void onAttach(final Activity pActivity) {
// Handle as usual.
super.onAttach(pActivity);
// Inform the ActivityBuffer.
this.getActivityBuffer().onContextGained(pActivity);
}
#Override
public final void onDetach() {
// Handle as usual.
super.onDetach();
// Inform the ActivityBuffer.
this.getActivityBuffer().onContextLost();
}
/* Getters. */
public final ActivityBuffer getActivityBuffer() {
return this.mActivityBuffer;
}
}
Finally, in any areas within your Fragment that extends BaseFragment that you're untrustworthy about a call to getActivity(), simply make a call to this.getActivityBuffer().safely(...) and declare an ActivityBuffer.IRunnable for the task!
The contents of your void run(final Activity pActivity) are then guaranteed to execute along the UI Thread.
The ActivityBuffer can then be used as follows:
this.getActivityBuffer().safely(
new ActivityBuffer.IRunnable() {
#Override public final void run(final Activity pActivity) {
// Do something with guaranteed Context.
}
}
);

#Override
public void onActivityCreated(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onActivityCreated(savedInstanceState);
// run the code making use of getActivity() from here
}

I know this is a old question but i think i must provide my answer to it because my problem was not solved by others.
first of all : i was dynamically adding fragments using fragmentTransactions.
Second: my fragments were modified using AsyncTasks (DB queries on a server).
Third: my fragment was not instantiated at activity start
Fourth: i used a custom fragment instantiation "create or load it" in order to get the fragment variable.
Fourth: activity was recreated because of orientation change
The problem was that i wanted to "remove" the fragment because of the query answer, but the fragment was incorrectly created just before. I don't know why, probably because of the "commit" be done later, the fragment was not added yet when it was time to remove it. Therefore getActivity() was returning null.
Solution :
1)I had to check that i was correctly trying to find the first instance of the fragment before creating a new one
2)I had to put serRetainInstance(true) on that fragment in order to keep it through orientation change (no backstack needed therefore no problem)
3)Instead of "recreating or getting old fragment" just before "remove it", I directly put the fragment at activity start.
Instantiating it at activity start instead of "loading" (or instantiating) the fragment variable before removing it prevented getActivity problems.

In Kotlin you can try this way to handle getActivity() null condition.
activity?.let { // activity == getActivity() in java
//your code here
}
It will check activity is null or not and if not null then execute inner code.

AsyncTaskLoader onLoadFinished with a pending task and config change

I'm trying to use an AsyncTaskLoader to load data in the background to populate a detail view in response to a list item being chosen. I've gotten it mostly working but I'm still having one issue. If I choose a second item in the list and then rotate the device before the load for the first selected item has completed, then the onLoadFinished() call is reporting to the activity being stopped rather than the new activity. This works fine when choosing just a single item and then rotating.
Here is the code I'm using. Activity:
public final class DemoActivity extends Activity
implements NumberListFragment.RowTappedListener,
LoaderManager.LoaderCallbacks<String> {
private static final AtomicInteger activityCounter = new AtomicInteger(0);
private int myActivityId;
private ResultFragment resultFragment;
private Integer selectedNumber;
#Override
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
myActivityId = activityCounter.incrementAndGet();
Log.d("DemoActivity", "onCreate for " + myActivityId);
setContentView(R.layout.demo);
resultFragment = (ResultFragment) getFragmentManager().findFragmentById(R.id.result_fragment);
getLoaderManager().initLoader(0, null, this);
}
#Override
protected void onDestroy() {
super.onDestroy();
Log.d("DemoActivity", "onDestroy for " + myActivityId);
}
#Override
public void onRowTapped(Integer number) {
selectedNumber = number;
resultFragment.setResultText("Fetching details for item " + number + "...");
getLoaderManager().restartLoader(0, null, this);
}
#Override
public Loader<String> onCreateLoader(int id, Bundle args) {
return new ResultLoader(this, selectedNumber);
}
#Override
public void onLoadFinished(Loader<String> loader, String data) {
Log.d("DemoActivity", "onLoadFinished reporting to activity " + myActivityId);
resultFragment.setResultText(data);
}
#Override
public void onLoaderReset(Loader<String> loader) {
}
static final class ResultLoader extends AsyncTaskLoader<String> {
private static final Random random = new Random();
private final Integer number;
private String result;
ResultLoader(Context context, Integer number) {
super(context);
this.number = number;
}
#Override
public String loadInBackground() {
// Simulate expensive Web call
try {
Thread.sleep(5000);
} catch (InterruptedException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
return "Item " + number + " - Price: $" + random.nextInt(500) + ".00, Number in stock: " + random.nextInt(10000);
}
#Override
public void deliverResult(String data) {
if (isReset()) {
// An async query came in while the loader is stopped
return;
}
result = data;
if (isStarted()) {
super.deliverResult(data);
}
}
#Override
protected void onStartLoading() {
if (result != null) {
deliverResult(result);
}
// Only do a load if we have a source to load from
if (number != null) {
forceLoad();
}
}
#Override
protected void onStopLoading() {
// Attempt to cancel the current load task if possible.
cancelLoad();
}
#Override
protected void onReset() {
super.onReset();
// Ensure the loader is stopped
onStopLoading();
result = null;
}
}
}
List fragment:
public final class NumberListFragment extends ListFragment {
interface RowTappedListener {
void onRowTapped(Integer number);
}
private RowTappedListener rowTappedListener;
#Override
public void onAttach(Activity activity) {
super.onAttach(activity);
rowTappedListener = (RowTappedListener) activity;
}
#Override
public void onActivityCreated(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onActivityCreated(savedInstanceState);
ArrayAdapter<Integer> adapter = new ArrayAdapter<Integer>(getActivity(),
R.layout.simple_list_item_1,
Arrays.asList(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6));
setListAdapter(adapter);
}
#Override
public void onListItemClick(ListView l, View v, int position, long id) {
ArrayAdapter<Integer> adapter = (ArrayAdapter<Integer>) getListAdapter();
rowTappedListener.onRowTapped(adapter.getItem(position));
}
}
Result fragment:
public final class ResultFragment extends Fragment {
private TextView resultLabel;
#Override
public View onCreateView(LayoutInflater inflater, ViewGroup container, Bundle savedInstanceState) {
View root = inflater.inflate(R.layout.result_fragment, container, false);
resultLabel = (TextView) root.findViewById(R.id.result_label);
if (savedInstanceState != null) {
resultLabel.setText(savedInstanceState.getString("labelText", ""));
}
return root;
}
#Override
public void onSaveInstanceState(Bundle outState) {
super.onSaveInstanceState(outState);
outState.putString("labelText", resultLabel.getText().toString());
}
void setResultText(String resultText) {
resultLabel.setText(resultText);
}
}
I've been able to get this working using plain AsyncTasks but I'm trying to learn more about Loaders since they handle the configuration changes automatically.
EDIT: I think I may have tracked down the issue by looking at the source for LoaderManager. When initLoader is called after the configuration change, the LoaderInfo object has its mCallbacks field updated with the new activity as the implementation of LoaderCallbacks, as I would expect.
public <D> Loader<D> initLoader(int id, Bundle args, LoaderManager.LoaderCallbacks<D> callback) {
if (mCreatingLoader) {
throw new IllegalStateException("Called while creating a loader");
}
LoaderInfo info = mLoaders.get(id);
if (DEBUG) Log.v(TAG, "initLoader in " + this + ": args=" + args);
if (info == null) {
// Loader doesn't already exist; create.
info = createAndInstallLoader(id, args, (LoaderManager.LoaderCallbacks<Object>)callback);
if (DEBUG) Log.v(TAG, " Created new loader " + info);
} else {
if (DEBUG) Log.v(TAG, " Re-using existing loader " + info);
info.mCallbacks = (LoaderManager.LoaderCallbacks<Object>)callback;
}
if (info.mHaveData && mStarted) {
// If the loader has already generated its data, report it now.
info.callOnLoadFinished(info.mLoader, info.mData);
}
return (Loader<D>)info.mLoader;
}
However, when there is a pending loader, the main LoaderInfo object also has an mPendingLoader field with a reference to a LoaderCallbacks as well, and this object is never updated with the new activity in the mCallbacks field. I would expect to see the code look like this instead:
// This line was already there
info.mCallbacks = (LoaderManager.LoaderCallbacks<Object>)callback;
// This line is not currently there
info.mPendingLoader.mCallbacks = (LoaderManager.LoaderCallbacks<Object>)callback;
It appears to be because of this that the pending loader calls onLoadFinished on the old activity instance. If I breakpoint in this method and make the call that I feel is missing using the debugger, everything works as I expect.
The new question is: Have I found a bug, or is this the expected behavior?

In most cases you should just ignore such reports if Activity is already destroyed.
public void onLoadFinished(Loader<String> loader, String data) {
Log.d("DemoActivity", "onLoadFinished reporting to activity " + myActivityId);
if (isDestroyed()) {
Log.i("DemoActivity", "Activity already destroyed, report ignored: " + data);
return;
}
resultFragment.setResultText(data);
}
Also you should insert checking isDestroyed() in any inner classes. Runnable - is the most used case.
For example:
// UI thread
final Handler handler = new Handler();
Executor someExecutorService = ... ;
someExecutorService.execute(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
// some heavy operations
...
// notification to UI thread
handler.post(new Runnable() {
// this runnable can link to 'dead' activity or any outer instance
if (isDestroyed()) {
return;
}
// we are alive
onSomeHeavyOperationFinished();
});
}
});
But in such cases the best way is to avoid passing strong reference on Activity to another thread (AsynkTask, Loader, Executor, etc).
The most reliable solution is here:
// BackgroundExecutor.java
public class BackgroundExecutor {
private static final Executor instance = Executors.newSingleThreadExecutor();
public static void execute(Runnable command) {
instance.execute(command);
}
}
// MyActivity.java
public class MyActivity extends Activity {
// Some callback method from any button you want
public void onSomeButtonClicked() {
// Show toast or progress bar if needed
// Start your heavy operation
BackgroundExecutor.execute(new SomeHeavyOperation(this));
}
public void onSomeHeavyOperationFinished() {
if (isDestroyed()) {
return;
}
// Hide progress bar, update UI
}
}
// SomeHeavyOperation.java
public class SomeHeavyOperation implements Runnable {
private final WeakReference<MyActivity> ref;
public SomeHeavyOperation(MyActivity owner) {
// Unlike inner class we do not store strong reference to Activity here
this.ref = new WeakReference<MyActivity>(owner);
}
public void run() {
// Perform your heavy operation
// ...
// Done!
// It's time to notify Activity
final MyActivity owner = ref.get();
// Already died reference
if (owner == null) return;
// Perform notification in UI thread
owner.runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
owner.onSomeHeavyOperationFinished();
}
});
}
}

Maybe not best solution but ...
This code restart loader every time, which is bad but only work around that works - if you want to used loader.
Loader l = getLoaderManager().getLoader(MY_LOADER);
if (l != null) {
getLoaderManager().restartLoader(MY_LOADER, null, this);
} else {
getLoaderManager().initLoader(MY_LOADER, null, this);
}
BTW. I am using Cursorloader ...

A possible solution is to start the AsyncTask in a custom singleton object and access the onFinished() result from the singleton within your Activity. Every time you rotate your screen, go onPause() or onResume(), the latest result will be used/accessed. If you still don't have a result in your singleton object, you know it is still busy or that you can relaunch the task.
Another approach is to work with a service bus like Otto, or to work with a Service.

Ok I'm trying to understand this excuse me if I misunderstood anything, but you are losing references to something when the device rotates.
Taking a stab...
would adding
android:configChanges="orientation|keyboardHidden|screenSize"
in your manifest for that activity fix your error? or prevent onLoadFinished() from saying the activity stopped?