Develop Reference

Android Activity communication with IntentService

I need to have a two way communication between my activity and a running IntentService.
The scenario is like this: the app can schedule alarms which on run, start an IntentService which fetches some data from web and process it. There are three possible situations when IntentService finishes:
The app is in focus, which means that when the IntentService will finish, the app needs to refresh its views with the new data.
The app is closed and when opened after IntentService has finished the work, so the app will have access to processed data
The app is opened while the IntentService is running, in which case I need to have a way from the activity to ask the IntentService if its doing something in the background.
For 1. I have already implemented a BroadcastReceiver in my activity which gets registered with the LocalBroadcastManager. When IntentService finishes the work, sends a broadcast and the activity reacts. This works fine
For 2. There is nothing needed to be done
For 3. I don't know what to do. So far I've tried this:
In Activity:
LocalBroadcastManager.getInstance(this).sendBroadcast(new Intent(BROADCAST_SEND_TO_SERVICE));
In IntentService
private LocalBroadcastManager localBroadcastManager;
private BroadcastReceiver broadcastReceiverService = new BroadcastReceiver() {
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
if (intent.getAction().equals(BROADCAST_SEND_TO_SERVICE)) {
//does not reach this place
//Send back a broadcast to activity telling that it is working
}
}
};
#Override
protected void onHandleIntent(Intent intent) {
localBroadcastManager = LocalBroadcastManager.getInstance(context);
IntentFilter intentFilter = new IntentFilter();
intentFilter.addAction(BROADCAST_SEND_TO_SERVICE);
localBroadcastManager.registerReceiver(broadcastReceiverService, intentFilter);
.... //do things
}
The problem with my implementation is that n the IntentService the BroadcastReceiver does not fire onReceive. Any suggestions or maybe a simpler way for the Activity to ask the IntentService what it is doing?
LE:
Trying to get atomicboolean.
In Service:
public static AtomicBoolean isRunning = new AtomicBoolean(false);
#Override
protected void onHandleIntent(Intent intent) {
isRunning.set(true);
// do work
// Thread.sleep(30000)
isRunning.set(false);
}
In Activity, restarting the app while service is running:
Log(MyIntentService.isRunning.get());
//this returns always false, even if the intent service is running
On AndroidManifest
<service
android:name=".services.MyIntentService"
android:exported="false" />

difference between Service and IntentService

To know the difference between IntentService and Service in Android, I created the below posted small test of an IntentService class. The IntentService class can be started using
startService(intent); which will result in a call to nStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId). Also to send values from the IntentService class to the MainActivity
for an example, we should send it via sendBroadcast(intent); and the MainActivity should register a broadcastReceiver for that action so it can receive the values sent via
sendBroadcast(intent);
so far I cant see any difference between Service and IntentService!! Since they are similar in the way of starting them and the way they broadcast data,can you please tell me in
which context they differ?
please tell me why i am receiving those errors and how to solve it
MainActivity
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
private final String TAG = this.getClass().getSimpleName();
private Button mbtnSend = null;
private int i = 0;
private BroadcastReceiver mBCR_VALUE_SENT = new BroadcastReceiver() {
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
String action = intent.getAction();
if (action.equals(MyIntentService.INTENT_ACTION)) {
int intnetValue = intent.getIntExtra(MyIntentService.INTENT_KEY, -1);
Log.i(TAG, SubTag.bullet("mBCR_VALUE_SENT", "intnetValue: " + intnetValue));
}
}
};
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
registerReceiver(this.mBCR_VALUE_SENT, new IntentFilter(MyIntentService.INTENT_ACTION));
this.mbtnSend = (Button) findViewById(R.id.btn_send);
this.mbtnSend.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
#Override
public void onClick(View v) {
Intent intent = new Intent(getApplicationContext(), MyIntentService.class);
intent.putExtra("intent_key", ++i);
startService(intent);
}
});
}
}
MyIntentService:
public class MyIntentService extends IntentService {
private final String TAG = this.getClass().getSimpleName();
public final static String INTENT_ACTION = "ACTION_VALUE_SENT";
public final static String INTENT_KEY = "INTENT_KEY";
public MyIntentService() {
super(null);
}
/**
* Creates an IntentService. Invoked by your subclass's constructor.
*
* #param name Used to name the worker thread, important only for debugging.
*/
public MyIntentService(String name) {
super(name);
setIntentRedelivery(true);
}
#Override
public void onCreate() {
super.onCreate();
Log.w(TAG, SubTag.msg("onCreate"));
}
#Override
protected void onHandleIntent(Intent intent) {
Log.w(TAG, SubTag.msg("onHandleIntent"));
int intent_value = intent.getIntExtra("intent_key", -1);
Log.i(TAG, SubTag.bullet("", "intent_value: " + intent_value));
Intent intent2 = new Intent();
intent2.setAction(MyIntentService.INTENT_ACTION);
intent2.putExtra(MyIntentService.INTENT_KEY, intent_value);
sendBroadcast(intent2);
SystemClock.sleep(3000);
}
#Override
public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
Log.w(TAG, SubTag.msg("onStartCommand"));
return super.onStartCommand(intent, flags, startId);
}

In short, a Service is a broader implementation for the developer to set up background operations, while an IntentService is useful for "fire and forget" operations, taking care of background Thread creation and cleanup.
From the docs:
Service A Service is an application component representing either an application's desire to perform a longer-running operation while not interacting with the user or to supply functionality for other applications to use.
IntentService Service is a base class for IntentService Services that handle asynchronous requests (expressed as Intents) on demand. Clients send requests through startService(Intent) calls; the service is started as needed, handles each Intent in turn using a worker thread, and stops itself when it runs out of work.
Refer this doc - http://developer.android.com/reference/android/app/IntentService.html

Service
This is the base class for all services. When you extend this class, it’s important that you create a new thread in which to do all the service’s work, because the service uses your application’s main thread, by default, which could slow the performance of any activity your application is running.
IntentService
This is a subclass of Service that uses a worker thread to handle all start requests, one at a time. This is the best option if you don’t require that your service handle multiple requests simultaneously. All you need to do is implement onHandleIntent(), which receives the intent for each start request so you can do the background work.
Below are some key differences between Service and IntentService in Android.
1) When to use?
The Service can be used in tasks with no UI, but shouldn’t be too long. If you need to perform long tasks, you must use threads within Service.
The IntentService can be used in long tasks usually with no communication to Main Thread. If communication is required, can use Main Thread handler or broadcast intents. Another case of use is when callbacks are needed (Intent triggered tasks).
2) How to trigger?
The Service is triggered calling to method onStartService().
The IntentService is triggered using an Intent, it spawns a new worker thread and the method onHandleIntent() is called on this thread.
for more clarity refer this
http://www.onsandroid.com/2011/12/difference-between-android.html

android services and activity lifecycle?

I am having problem with my android IntentService. When I first open the application, the service gets started by intent from the profile activity and data is fetched from this service. If I switch to other activity and then back service is still running and that is ok.
However if you press back, so that activity is finished and put in the background, the service is still working as the application is in background but If I get it back to foreground service stops. I do not know why. Bellow is my code, please help.
I have read activity life cycle couple of times and still do not get it why this is happening.
What is weird is that Service receive data one more time before it stops when MainActivity is brought back to running state. Service is not crashing.
Service
public class SomeService extends IntentService
{
public static final String extra = "someData";
public SomeService()
{
super(SomeService.class.getSimpleName());
}
#Override
protected void onHandleIntent(Intent intent)
{
Log.e("SomeService", "starting service");
while (true)
{
SomeData data = Api.getNewSocketData();
//Broadcast data when received to update the view
Intent broadcastData = new Intent();
broadcastData.setAction(dataBroadcastReceiver.ACTION_DATA_RECEIVED);
broadcastData.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_DEFAULT);
broadcastData.putExtra(extra, " ");
sendBroadcast(broadcastData);
Log.e("SomeService", "received from socket");
}
}
}
Receiver
public class dataBroadcastReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver
{
public final static String ACTION_DATA_RECEIVED = "net.bitstamp.intent.action.ACTION_SOMEDATA_RECEIVED";
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent)
{
Log.e("receiver", "data received");
}
}
Main Activity
#Override
public void onPause()
{
super.onPause();
unregisterReceiver(dataBroadcastReceiver);
}
#Override
public void onResume()
{
super.onResume();
IntentFilter intentFilter = new IntentFilter(dataBroadcastReceiver.ACTION_DATA_RECEIVED);
intentFilter.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_DEFAULT);
dataBroadcastReceiver = new dataBroadcastReceiver();
registerReceiver(dataBroadcastReceiver, intentFilter);
Intent someService = new Intent(this, SomeService.class);
startService(someService);
}
I really need help on this. Thanks

You don't want to the up the IntentService in an infinite loop. It will block all other incoming requests. From the documentation:
All requests are handled on a single worker thread -- they may take as long as necessary (and will not block the application's main loop), but only one request will be processed at a time.
Your Service is likely still happily running along, it just isn't processing your new request because your old one is still being handled in the infinite loop.

Android keep BroadcastReceiver in background

I created a BroadcastReceiver and it runs only when my app shown in recent apps menu. If I remove my app from the recent apps the BroadcastReceiver will stop working.
How can I keep the BroadcastReceiver in background?
I register the BroadcastReceiver from my main activity (in OnCreate()).
IntentFilter intentFilter = new IntentFilter(Intent.ACTION_BATTERY_CHANGED);
registerReceiver(receiver, intentFilter);
BroadcastReceiver receiver = new BroadcastReceiver() {
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
}
};

This is not how you should register a receiver. You receiver stops working, because you construct it in onCreate, which means it will live as long as your app is alive. When the app gets destroyed, you also lose the the receiver.
If you register receiver inside an activity, you should always register it in onResume and deregister onPause, which will make it available while the activity is visible to the user. This is a use case when you want to have an active receiver while user interacts with an activity.
If you want a background receiver, you need to register it inside the AndroidManifest (with intent filter), add an IntentService and start it when you receive a broadcast in the receiver.
Here is a tutorial, you are interested in chapter 3.
If you need to be always on, start a foreground service. There is function in Service that lets you: startForeground. Then register your receiver when service is created and deregister when it's destroyed. Foreground services are quite nasty though.

Use a service with it.
Services can survive when the app dies if they have the right flag example:
public class MyService extends Service {
public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
return START_STICKY; //this defines this service to stay alive
}
#Override
public void onCreate() {
super.onCreate();
appStatus = APPISUP;
//This is a thread that stays alive for as long as you need
new CheckActivityStatus().execute();
//Not needed but in case you wish to lauch other apps from it
}
private class CheckActivityStatus extends AsyncTask<String, Integer, String> {
#Override
protected String doInBackground(String... params) {
while(true) {
... //add something that breaks eventually
}
}
}
To lauch the service you have to lauch it from an activity like so:
Intent service = new Intent(getBaseContext(), MyService.class);
startService(service);
With the service the BroadcastReceiver still functions receiving whatever you want.
Note that the service sometimes stops and comes back. I haven't found out why but I'm betting on priorities of other apps that may ask the system to halt the service

Android - Sending data from an activity to a service

I've a local service that is started in my main activity. The service is responsible for network I/O. It also interacts with other activities in my application. Till, now the service was only "providing" data to activity (using callbacks and not Intents.)
Now I need to send data (custom objects) from my activities to the service. I understand one way to do it using Intents. I know it is possible to receive an Intent in the service by overriding the onStartCommand() in my service. But it's not clear to me if the onStartCommand will be invoked every time I broadcast an Intent from my sending activity. Can a Service also be BroadcastReceiver ? If yes - how ?
Thanks.

You can create a BroadcastReceiver object in the service and register it to listen to any broadcast event you want. It's something like this:
BroadcastReceiver mScreenStateReceiver = new BroadcastReceiver() {
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
//handle the broadcast event here
}
};
#Override
public void onCreate() {
super.onCreate();
IntentFilter filter = new IntentFilter(Intent.ACTION_SCREEN_OFF);
filter.addAction(Intent.ACTION_SCREEN_ON);
registerReceiver(mScreenStateReceiver, filter);
}
#Override
public void onDestroy() {
super.onDestroy();
unregisterReceiver(mScreenStateReceiver);
}
Regards,