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Creating a SQLite database for the game Tic Tac toe and connecting it to the main Activity [closed]

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I want to create a SQLite database for the game Tic Tac Toe on Android Studio that has the names and score of the players. Every time a user win, a point is added on the scoreboard.
How would I do this?

Stage 1 - Database Design
First design the database, you have identified Data as User name, and score, assuming you don't want historical data then a single table would suffice.
So design would be a table, perhaps called scoreboard, with columns :-
username
score and
To perhaps aid future changes a column name id that uniquely identifies a user (e.g. say you had two Toms or even two Tom smiths), this identifier (which is generally available) will be an alias of rowid. As Cursor Adapters require the id to be named _id then that will be used.
As such you could have a table that is created using the following SQL :-
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS scoreboard
(
_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
username TEXT,
score INTEGER
);
Stage 2 - Creating the Database
When getting started with SQLite for Android it is probably best to utilise a subclass of SQLiteOpenHelper as what many refer to as the DBHelper.
So create a class say DBHelper.java which extends the SQLiteOpenHelper class.
Note you must include overrides for the onCreate method and the onUpgrade method.
If using Android Studio when adding a new class;
input, DBHelper in the **Name* field,
type SQLiteOpenHelper in the Superclass field (by the time you've typed SQL you will see SQLiteOpenHelper double click is) and
then tick/check the Show Select Overrides Dialog.
Click OK
You will presented with the Overrides Dialog select (Ctrl + CLick) the following 3 (SQLiteOpenHelper(context"Context,name:String,factory:CursorFactory,version:int) will be selected) :-
SQLiteOpenHelper(context"Context,name:String,factory:CursorFactory,version:int)
onCreate(.....
onUpgrade(.....
Then click OK.
You will then have :-
public class DBHelper extends SQLiteOpenHelper {
public DBHelper(Context context, String name, SQLiteDatabase.CursorFactory factory, int version) {
super(context, name, factory, version);
}
#Override
public void onCreate(SQLiteDatabase sqLiteDatabase) {
}
#Override
public void onUpgrade(SQLiteDatabase sqLiteDatabase, int i, int i1) {
}
}
Define some constants
Between the class and the constructor add some constants so you have a single source for names of tables/columns etc e.g. :-
public static final String DBNAME = "tictactoe.db"; // Database name
public static final int DBVERSION = 1; // Database version #
public static final String TB_SCOREBOARD = "scoreboard"; // table name
public static final String COL_SCOREBOARD_ID = BaseColumns._ID; // use default id column name
public static final String COL_SCOREBOARD_USERNAME = "username";
public static final String COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE = "score";
Ready to create the Table
The onCreate method will be called when you try to open the database (and the database is actually created). Generally it is here that you create the tables.
Note one of the more common issues newcomers have is that they think that onCreate runs every time a database is opened. It is not it only runs once when the database is first created.
as such any changes (say you add a new column) WILL NOT BE MADE if the databade still exists (easiest solution when developing an App is to delete the App's Data or uninstall the App and rerun the App).
So in the onCreate method :-
create a String of the SQL to create the table (i.e. the CREATE IF NOT EXISTS.... previously shown). However, do so utilising the CONSTANTS (see below).
call the SQLiteDatabase execSQL method to run the SQL.
Alter the constructor's signature (make it easier to call).
As the database name and version are known (they are constant) and that a cursor factory needn't be used (null will signify this) the super call in the constructor can be replaced with :-
super(context, DBNAME, null, DBVERSION);
Therefore the signature for the DBHelper class can be changed to :-
public DBHelper(Context context) {
super(context, DBNAME, null, DBVERSION);
}
So the DBHelper class in full (at present) can be :-
public class DBHelper extends SQLiteOpenHelper {
public static final String DBNAME = "tictactoe.db"; // Database name
public static final int DBVERSION = 1; // Database version #
public static final String TB_SCOREBOARD = "scoreboard"; // table name
public static final String COL_SCOREBOARD_ID = BaseColumns._ID; // use default id column name
public static final String COL_SCOREBOARD_USERNAME = "username";
public static final String COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE = "score";
public DBHelper(Context context) {
super(context, DBNAME, null, DBVERSION);
}
#Override
public void onCreate(SQLiteDatabase sqLiteDatabase) {
String crtsql = "CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS " +
TB_SCOREBOARD + // The table name
"(" +
COL_SCOREBOARD_ID + " INTEGER PRIMARY KEY," + //The _id column
COL_SCOREBOARD_USERNAME + " TEXT, " + // username column
COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE + " INTEGER" + // score column (no trailing comma as last)
")" ;
sqLiteDatabase.execSQL(crtsql);
}
#Override
public void onUpgrade(SQLiteDatabase sqLiteDatabase, int i, int i1) {
}
}
Stage 3 - TEST what has been so far
Believe it or not the above is sufficient to create the database and the table and hence the columns within the table (not to actually add any data or anything useful but at least).
Typically you would use the database in an activity. For the purposes of this testing a basic MainActivity will be used.
It's actually very simple we just create a DBHelper instance (passing the Context).
BUT doing so won't create a database it's only when either the getWritableDatabase or getReadableDatabase methods are called that an attempt is made to open or create the database. So a second line will do this (could be done in one line) :-
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
DBHelper mDBHlpr = new DBHelper(this); // get DBHelper instance
mDBHlpr.getWritableDatabase(); // force an open (wouldn't normally do this)
}
}
Note you wouldn't normally have a call to getWritableDatabase as will be seen each method to access the table(s) will do this, so the very first time one of these would result in the onCreate method being called.
Note there is much confusion with getReadableDatabase, in short it doesn't make it so you can't update/change data unless the database can only be read.
i.e. getReadabledatabase will get a writable database unless in the very rare scenario the database can only be read (when getWritableDatabase would fail with an unable to open database error).
VERY RARELY is there any use coding getReadableDatabase.
Do the above and Run the App - nothing much will happen, but hopefully it shouldn't crash.
Now if you can (depends on emulator (I use genymotion which gives you root access)) use Android Studion's Device Explorer* to look at **/data/data/<your_package_name>/databases/ and hopefully you will see :-
package and actual database are highlighted.
database is just a file (can be copied and opened in other SQLite tools (can even be copied to android (emulator/device permitting))).
journal is SQLite's file that records what's being done and in cases of errors allows data to be rolled back (i.e. just accept it exists).
A believe that size should be 16K (depends upon data and structure of the database). It shouldn't be 0 though.
If you can't use Device Explorer then you can go into settings and check the App's data (if you have other uses of App data then check subtract this (check before running)), it should be 0 (after subtracting other data). in which case that's an indication that the database exists.
Stage 4 - Adding and Manipulating Data
At this stage a database exists with a table but no data itself exists. So a means of adding data (inserting rows) (a table has rows a row consisting of the columns as per the definition of the table).
It's no use adding data unless that data can be accessed so a means of extracting the data (querying) is required.
As a method of changing (updating) the score is required a means of doing this is required.
So what is needed now are 3 things :-
an insertRow method
a getAllData method (say to list scoreboard)
a updateScore method (which will adjust the score according to a number)
Typically such methods are added to the Database Helper (so they will be here)
The insertRow method
When inserting a row we need to add the name and the score (we could have defined the score column as score INTEGER DEFAULT 0 and then just the name would be required).
Although you don't know it yet id's can be very useful so the method will return the id of the newly inserted row, which due to using _id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY (and specifically this (or INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT). will be generated automatically (i.e. the _id column is an alias of the very special but normally hidden rowid column (see link below for more info on rowid)).
the latter, AUTOINCREMENT, is very rarely needed but is seen very often more here SQLite Autoincrement, this also explains rowid)
So a method such as the following could be added :-
public long insertRow(String username, int initial_score) {
// SQL equivalent of :-
// INSERT INTO scoreboard (username,score) VALUES('the user name',0)
ContentValues cv = new ContentValues(); // Used by convenience method for column/value pairs
cv.put(COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE,username); // The username to be added
cv.put(COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE,initial_score); // The score to be added
SQLiteDatabase db = this.getWritableDatabase(); // Get a SQLiteDatabase instance
return db.insert(TB_SCOREBOARD,null,cv); // Insert it using conveniece method
/*
Note if row cannot be inserted then return will be -1
If inserted the id will be returned,
first ever insert will be 1,
then likely 2
then likely 3
NEVER ASSUME 1,2,3.......... though
ALWAYS ASSUME IT WILL BE A UNIQUE VALUE
i.e. NEVER CODE SPECIFIC ID's
*/
}
You may wish to read insert
The Activity could use this using for example :-
mDBHlpr.insertRow("Rumplestiltskin the 3rd",10000000); // The winner :)
mDBHlpr.insertRow("Fred Blogs",0); // New user would normally start with score 0
Adds 2 rows first with high score, 2nd as you would probably add a new user
The getAllData method
With Android you extract data into what's called a Cursor, which is like a spreadsheet it has rows and columns (columns as you specify so they needn't be all the columns, can also be other columns (e.g. derived/calculated or from other tables).
You create a Cursor (at least a normal one) by querying the table or tables in the database (note this doesn't cover all aspects). So use will be made of the convenience query method (well 1 of the 4) using :-
public Cursor getAlldata() {
// The columns to retrieve
String[] columns = new String[]{
COL_SCOREBOARD_ID,
COL_SCOREBOARD_USERNAME,
COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE
};
// NOTE normally for all columns you would use the above but
// instead pass null as the 2nd parameter to the query method
return this.getWritableDatabase().query(
TB_SCOREBOARD,
columns,
null,
null,
null,
null,
null
);
}
You may wish to read query
This could be used in the Activity along the lines of :-
Cursor csr = mDBHlpr.getAlldata();
csr.close(); //YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CLOSE A CURSOR WHEN DONE WITH IT
The updateScore method
Without getting too complex and sticking to convenience methods the process of updating a score will :-
get the old score (according to id)
update the new score by adding the new score (if it's minus then reducing the score)
As such 2 parameters are required the id and the amount to adjust the score by.
-Id's should be long (you will see many uses of int but long copes with all possible id's).
-adjustment will be integer (long if very high scores are expected)
A diversion for getScoreById method
As getting a user's score may be useful another method will be created to do this. This also makes use of a Cursor that selects specific data rather than all via an SQL WHERE clause. So a method getScoreById will also be created. This will return the current score as an int and is passed a long as the id.
This could be :-
public int getScoreById(long id) {
int rv = -1; // just in case the id doesn't exist return -1 so invalid adjustment can be detected
String[] columns = new String[]{COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE}; // only want the score
String whereclause = COL_SCOREBOARD_ID + "=?"; // will be WHERE _id=? (? replaced by respective whereargs element)
String[] whereargs = new String[]{String.valueOf(id)}; // ? will be replaced with id
Cursor csr = this.getWritableDatabase().query(
TB_SCOREBOARD,
columns,
whereclause,
whereargs,
null,
null,
null
);
if (csr.moveToFirst()) {
//rv = csr.getInt(0); // Hard coded column offsets bad so :-
rv = csr.getInt(csr.getColumnIndex(COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE));
}
csr.close(); // Done with the cursor so close it
return rv; // return the current score
}
Back to the upDateScore method
Now that the score can be retrieved by the id via the getScoreById method then the the updateScore method could be :-
public boolean updateScore(long id, int adjustment) {
int newscore = getScoreById(id) + adjustment; // get the new score
// Check that the new score is valid (i.e. greater than 0)
// If it's invalid then don't do update by returning false but after
// issuing a message to the log (for development should be removed for production)
if (newscore < 0) {
Log.d("INVALIDSCORE",
"An invalid new score (less than 0) was returned. Update cancelled.");
return false;
}
// Prepare to use the update convenience method
String whereclause = COL_SCOREBOARD_ID + "=?";
String[] whereargs = new String[]{String.valueOf(id)};
ContentValues cv = new ContentValues();
cv.put(COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE,newscore);
SQLiteDatabase db = this.getWritableDatabase();
// WARNING without a WHERE clause update would update ALL ROWS
// update returns number of rows updated as an int, so if this is
// greater than 0 true is returned else false.
return db.update(TB_SCOREBOARD,cv,whereclause,whereargs) > 0;
}
So the whole DBHelper class could be :-
public class DBHelper extends SQLiteOpenHelper {
public static final String DBNAME = "tictactoe.db"; // Database name
public static final int DBVERSION = 1; // Database version #
public static final String TB_SCOREBOARD = "scoreboard"; // table name
public static final String COL_SCOREBOARD_ID = BaseColumns._ID; // use default id column name
public static final String COL_SCOREBOARD_USERNAME = "username";
public static final String COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE = "score";
public DBHelper(Context context) {
super(context, DBNAME, null, DBVERSION);
}
#Override
public void onCreate(SQLiteDatabase sqLiteDatabase) {
String crtsql = "CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS " +
TB_SCOREBOARD + // The table name
"(" +
COL_SCOREBOARD_ID + " INTEGER PRIMARY KEY," + //The _id column
COL_SCOREBOARD_USERNAME + " TEXT, " + // username column
COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE + " INTEGER" + // score column (no trailing comma as last)
")" ;
sqLiteDatabase.execSQL(crtsql);
}
#Override
public void onUpgrade(SQLiteDatabase sqLiteDatabase, int i, int i1) {
}
public long insertRow(String username, int initial_score) {
// SQL equivalent of :-
// INSERT INTO scoreboard (username,score) VALUES('the user name',0)
ContentValues cv = new ContentValues(); // Used by convenience method for column/value pairs
cv.put(COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE,username); // The username to be added
cv.put(COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE,initial_score); // The score to be added
SQLiteDatabase db = this.getWritableDatabase(); // Get a SQLiteDatabase instance
return db.insert(TB_SCOREBOARD,null,cv); // Insert it
/*
Note if row cannot be inserted then return will be -1
If insert the id will be returned,
first ever insert will be 1,
then likely 2
then likely 3
NEVER ASSUME 1,2,3.......... though
ALWAYS ASSUME IT WILL BE A UNIQUE VALUE
i.e. NEVER CODE SPECIFIC ID's
*/
}
public Cursor getAlldata() {
// The columns to retrieve
String[] columns = new String[]{
COL_SCOREBOARD_ID,
COL_SCOREBOARD_USERNAME,
COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE
};
// NOTE normally for all columns you would use the above but
// instead pass null as the 2nd parameter to the query method
return this.getWritableDatabase().query(
TB_SCOREBOARD,
columns,
null,
null,
null,
null,
null
);
}
public boolean updateScore(long id, int adjustment) {
int newscore = getScoreById(id) + adjustment; // get the new score
// Check that the new score is valid (i.e. greater than 0)
// If it's invalid then don't do update by returning false but after
// issuing a message to the log (for development should be removed for production)
if (newscore < 0) {
Log.d("INVALIDSCORE",
"An invalid new score (less than 0) was returned. Update cancelled.");
return false;
}
// Prepare to use the update convenience method
String whereclause = COL_SCOREBOARD_ID + "=?";
String[] whereargs = new String[]{String.valueOf(id)};
ContentValues cv = new ContentValues();
cv.put(COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE,newscore);
SQLiteDatabase db = this.getWritableDatabase();
// WARNING without a WHERE clause update would update ALL ROWS
// update returns number of rows updated as an int, so if this is
// greater than 0 true is returned else false.
return db.update(TB_SCOREBOARD,cv,whereclause,whereargs) > 0;
}
public int getScoreById(long id) {
int rv = -1; // just in case the id doesn't exist return -1 so invalid adjustment can be detected
String[] columns = new String[]{COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE}; // only want the score
String whereclause = COL_SCOREBOARD_ID + "=?"; // will be WHERE _id=? (? replaced by respective whereargs element)
String[] whereargs = new String[]{String.valueOf(id)}; // ? will be replaced with id
Cursor csr = this.getWritableDatabase().query(
TB_SCOREBOARD,
columns,
whereclause,
whereargs,
null,
null,
null
);
if (csr.moveToFirst()) {
//rv = csr.getInt(0); // Hard coded column offsets bad so :-
rv = csr.getInt(csr.getColumnIndex(COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE));
}
csr.close(); // Done with the cursor so close it
return rv; // return the current score
}
}
Stage 5 - Testing
The activity (based upon a new empty project) could now be :-
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
DBHelper mDBHlpr = new DBHelper(this); // get DBHelper instance
//mDBHlpr.getWritableDatabase(); // force an open (wouldn't normally do this) Not needed now
mDBHlpr.insertRow("Rumplestiltskin the 3rd",10000000); // The winner :)
mDBHlpr.insertRow("Fred Blogs",0); // New user would normally start with score 0
mDBHlpr.updateScore(1,-9999999); //Set Rumplestiltskins's score to 0
// NOTE id should be 1 BUT hard coding id's is
// should be avoided (just used for demo purposes)
mDBHlpr.updateScore(2,1); // Increment Fred's score (see above re hard coded id's)
Cursor csr = mDBHlpr.getAlldata();
StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
// Do something with the Extracted Data
while (csr.moveToNext()) { // Loop through all rows
long userid = csr.getLong(csr.getColumnIndex(DBHelper.COL_SCOREBOARD_ID));
String username = csr.getString(csr.getColumnIndex(DBHelper.COL_SCOREBOARD_USERNAME));
int userscore = csr.getInt(csr.getColumnIndex(DBHelper.COL_SCOREBOARD_SCORE));
sb.append("\n\tUsername=");
sb.append(username);
sb.append((" (ID="));
sb.append(userid);
sb.append(") Score=");
sb.append(userscore);
sb.append(".");
}
csr.close();
Log.d("SCOREBOARD",sb.toString());
}
}
Note cursor handling added
Result
note after numerous runs which will add duplicate usernames but with different id's)
:-
05-18 12:09:46.750 3018-3018/? D/INVALIDSCORE: An invalid new score (less than 0) was returned. Update cancelled.
05-18 12:09:46.754 3018-3018/? D/SCOREBOARD: Username=null (ID=1) Score=1.
Username=null (ID=2) Score=5.
Username=null (ID=3) Score=10000000.
Username=null (ID=4) Score=0.
Username=null (ID=5) Score=10000000.
Username=null (ID=6) Score=0.
Username=null (ID=7) Score=10000000.
Username=null (ID=8) Score=0.
Username=null (ID=9) Score=10000000.
Username=null (ID=10) Score=0.
Invalid Score is because once ID 1 is down to 1 the adjustment of -99999999 will be less than 0.
ID 2's score is 5 due to 5 runs (i.e. 10 rows/users).
Note
The above is a fully working albeit it not that useful, introduction/answer. As such any subsequent questions should really be other questions on Stack Overflow.*

Database in android studio [closed]

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I'm a windows phone developer and newly I started developing android apps using android studio.
I need to create a database and store in it values and retrieve the updated values on screen, so I need help in:
Creating the database.
How to show values from the database on screen?

to create database , you need to extend SQLiteOpenHelper and need a constructor that takes Context.
lets say you name this class DBOperator. The table creation process will look something like this ,
public class DbOperator extends SQLiteOpenHelper {
private static final int DATABASE_VERSION = 1;
private static final String DATABASE_NAME = "DB_NAME";
protected static final String FIRST_TABLE_NAME = "FIRST_TABLE";
protected static final String SECOND_TABLE_NAME = "SECOND_TABLE";
public static final String CREATE_FIRST_TABLE = "create table if not exists "
+ FIRST_TABLE_NAME
+ " ( _id integer primary key autoincrement, COL1 TEXT NOT NULL, COL2 TEXT NOT NULL,COL3 TEXT, COL4 int, COL5 TEXT,"
+ "COL6 TEXT,COL7 REAL, COL8 INTEGER,COL9 TEXT not null);";
public static final String CREATE_SECOND_TABLE = "create table if not exists "
+ SECOND_TABLE_NAME+.........
public DbOperator(Context context) {
super(context, DATABASE_NAME, null, DATABASE_VERSION);
}
#Override
public void onCreate(SQLiteDatabase db) {
db.execSQL(CREATE_SFIRST_TABLE);
db.execSQL(CREATE_SECOND_TABLE);
//db.close();
}
#Override
public void onUpgrade(SQLiteDatabase db, int oldVersion, int newVersion) {
//THIS WILL BE EXECUTED WHEN YOU UPDATED VERSION OF DATABASE_VERSION
//YOUR DROP AND CREATE QUERIES
}
}
Now your data manipulation class ( add, delete , update ) will look something like this ,
public class FirstTableDML extends DbOperator {
public FirstTableDML(Context context) {
super(context);
}
private static final String COL_ID = "_id";
private static final String COL1 = "COL1";
private static final String COL2 = "COL2";
........
.......
public void deleteFirstTableDataList(List<FirstTableData> firstTableDataList) {
for (FirstTableData data : firstTableDataList)
deleteFirstTableDetailData(data);
}
public void deleteFirstTableDetailData(FirstTableData item) {
SQLiteDatabase db = this.getWritableDatabase();
db.delete(FIRST_TABLE_NAME, item.getId() + "=" + COL_ID, null);
db.close();
}
/**this method retrieves all the records from table and returns them as list of
FirstTableData types. Now you use this list to display detail on your screen as per your
requirements.
*/
public List< FirstTableData > getFirstTableDataList() {
List< FirstTableData > firstTableDataList = new ArrayList< FirstTableData >();
String refQuery = "Select * From " + FIRST_TABLE_NAME;
SQLiteDatabase db = this.getWritableDatabase();
Cursor cursor = db.rawQuery(refQuery, null);
try {
if (cursor.moveToFirst()) {
do {
FirstTableData itemData = new FirstTableData();
itemData.setId(cursor.getInt(0));
itemData.setCol1(cursor.getString(1));
itemData.setCol2(cursor.getInt(2));
.....
.....
firstTableDataList.add(itemData);
} while (cursor.moveToNext());
}
} finally {
db.close();
}
Collections.sort(itemDataList);
return itemDataList;
}
public int addFirstTableData(FirstTableData data) {
SQLiteDatabase db = this.getWritableDatabase();
ContentValues values = new ContentValues();
values.put(COL1, data.getCol1());
values.put(COL2, data.getCol2());
.....
.....
long x=db.insert(FIRST_TABLE_NAME, null, values);
db.close();
return (int)x;
}
public void updateItemDetailData(FirstTableData data) {
SQLiteDatabase db = this.getWritableDatabase();
ContentValues values = new ContentValues();
values.put(COL1, data.getCol1());
values.put(COL2, data.getCol2());
values.put(COL3, data.getCol3());
.....
.....
db.update(FIRST_TABLE_NAME, values, COL_ID + "=" + data.getId(), null);
db.close();
}
}
P.S : *Data class are POJO data class representing the corresponding table.
Since you said you are not totally new to these, I have not provided any helper comments as most of the method names are self explanatory.
Hope it helps you to get started.

To creating a database for Android application, there are 2 ways:
Create database and tables using Code
Use existing database
1) Create database and tables using Code
In this scenario, you have to write a class and code to create database and tables for it. You have to use different classes and interfaces like SQLiteOpenHelper, SQLiteDatabase, etc. Check answer posted by Jimmy above.
2) Use existing database
In this scenario, you can use your existing sqlite database inside your android application. You have to place database file inside assets folder and write a code to copy that existing database on to either internal or external storage.
Regarding best scenario, I would say it's depend on the application functionality and nature, if your database is small then you should go with 1st scenario and if your database is large with many tables then you should go with 2nd scenario because you would be creating database using any GUI based SQLite browser and which would help you to make less mistakes. (When I say less mistakes using GUI, believe me there are chances of creating tables by code).
How to show values from the database on screen?
For that you have to write a SQL query which gives you Cursor in return which is a set of resultant data, so you have to iterate through the cursor data and prepare a set of data in terms of ArrayList or Array or HashMap.
You can display this set of data in ListView or GridView.
P.S. I am not posting links to any tutorials or examples as there are plenty of information/examples available on web, so suggesting you to search around the given points.

A good way to start is to read about Storage Options on the official Android documentation website: http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/data/data-storage.html

Including an existing database in apk

I have an existing database with some data (something like a dictionary) and I want to put it in installation apk-package, I'll explain - I just want to use my existing database when the app is installed. Which is the best way to do it?
Put a database in res/raw/ and then copy it on the SD card when the app is first launched.
Create a SQL script which will create a database structure and fill the data and execute it in a db-helper class. I think it is a very bad idea, because I have about 1 million records from all tables and it will be hard to work with that script.
Use a static non-writable database like in this post
Anything else?

I would suggest you use the SQLiteAssetHelper library (https://github.com/jgilfelt/android-sqlite-asset-helper). It's an Android helper class to manage database creation and version management using an application's raw asset files.
This class provides developers with a simple way to ship their Android app with an already existing SQLite database (which may be pre-populated with data) and to manage it's initial creation and any upgrades required with subsequent version releases.
Your preloaded SQLite database will be stored in a zipped file in the assets folder and the SQLiteAssetHelper .jar library will be stored in your lib folder, make sure that you add it into your build path.
Then you can create a class with the folllowing:
A sample class that loads a pre-loaded database of title of songs and its title:
import com.readystatesoftware.sqliteasset.SQLiteAssetHelper;
public class DatabaseManager {
// DECLARATION OF ALL THE VARIABLES AND CONSTANT THAT WILL BE USED TO CREATE THE TABLE
private static final String DATABASE_NAME = "SongDatabase";
private static final String DATABASE_TABLE = "Song";
// DECLARATION OF ALL THE COLUMN REQUIRED TO BE CREATED
public static final String KEY_ROWID = "_id";
public static final String KEY_AUTHOR = "author";
public static final String KEY_TITLE = "title";
private DatabaseHelper mDbHelper;
private SQLiteDatabase ourDatabase;
private final Context ourContext;
public class DatabaseHelper extends SQLiteAssetHelper {
public DatabaseHelper(Context context) {
super(context, DATABASE_NAME, null, DATABASE_VERSION);
}
}
public DatabaseManager(Context context){
ourContext = context;
}
// open the database for access
public DatabaseManager open() throws SQLException {
mDbHelper = new DatabaseHelper(ourContext);
ourDatabase = mDbHelper.getWritableDatabase();
return this;
}
// Enter Values into the database or create database values
public long createRecords(String author, String title) {
ContentValues initialValues = new ContentValues();
initialValues.put(KEY_AUTHOR, author);
initialValues.put(KEY_TITLE, title);
return ourDatabase.insert(DATABASE_TABLE, null, initialValues);
}
// close the database after creating the values for security purposes
public void close() {
mDbHelper.close();
}
}

http://www.reigndesign.com/blog/using-your-own-sqlite-database-in-android-applications/
with this you can store data in your assets folder and copy it to you apk database
the problem is there is a limit to file size ie 10MB and you can not delete the data cos asset folder is read only so you will have duplicates and increase the apk size
https://github.com/jgilfelt/android-sqlite-asset-helper
the other option is you use it directly
good luck :)

#Whizzzkey at your request here is the answer :)
put the database in the assets folder, though you may not perform write operations from it, and for that you would have to copy the db to the sdcard (which is expensive) or to memory.
Happy coding.

Manage DB before uploading to playstore in android

I have uploaded an application to play store couple of weeks back. This application involves sqlite database that stores information on username, password, other details that given are by user while using the application locally.
Now I have couple of more tables and fields added to database and wanna upload the application to playstore as an update?
My worry is if the user updates the application from playstore - After update - all the data stored in database will be saved or will the user has to recreate everything from scratch?
Let me know!
Thanks!

You have to override the onUpgade method of SQLiteOpenHelper. In the OnUpgrade method you can either erase the data(drop sqlite command) or maintain the data with the additional columns(alter sqlite command) or create new table (create sqlite command).
Refer the following snippet.
I assume your version would be 1.(Plz check the constructor of your SqliteOpenHelper class)
Increment the version by 1.
class DatabaseHelper extends SqliteOplenHelper{
private static final int DATABASE_VERSION = 2; //new version of the database
private static final int Database_name = "MyDatabase";
private static final String alterUserName = "alter table users add name text";
private static final String table_users = "create table if not exists "
+ users + "(" + "_id integer primary key autoincrement,"
+ "email text" + ")";
public DatabaseHelper(Context context) {
super(context, Database_name, null, DATABASE_VERSION);
cntxt = context;
}
#Override
public void onUpgrade(SQLiteDatabase db, int oldVersion, int newVersion) {
db.execSQL(table_users);
db.execSQL(alterUserName);
}
}
Now everytime when you roll the next update with database changes be sure to increment the database version by 1 else let it remain the same.

This isn't done for you automatically. In your SQLiteOpenHelper, you need to increment the Schema integer. This will trigger the on upgrade method for your existing users.
Adding a table is not a problem, just do this in onUpgrade, nothing breaks.
However to add fields, you should use the 'ALTER TABLE' SQL command
If you add new columns you can use ALTER TABLE to insert them into a live table. If you rename or remove columns you can use ALTER TABLE to rename the old table, then create the new table and then populate the new table with the contents of the old tab
See the official reference here

How do I connect my SQLite database to my android app?

HELP! Okay so I have been designing an android app for quite some time now and I have been manually putting all this data into strings and then just pulling them up in my layouts, but then a friend of mine suggested I put all the necessary data into a database and then just pull it out of there on each activity....sounds good....Accept I have been reading tutorial after tutorial on how this works and it seems much harder than just making lots and lots of strings and the examples in the tutorials each serve their own purpose which is not mine and dose not make understanding any easier for me. All I will be needing this database to do is read and display the info where I want it on the layouts. I created this database with SQLite Database Browser.
Database structure:
Name - fishindex_db
Tables - fish, states, reg
Rows:
fish - _id, name, desc, loc
states - _id, name, abbr, updated
reg - _id, name, size, season, quantity, notes
so now say I want to display all the content from primary key (_id) 12 from the reg table in a layout list view how is this done? need .java and .xml code example please.

These are two tutorials you can use to get you up and running in terms of what you want to achieve:
Android SQLite Database Tutorial
How to connect Android with PHP, MySQL - this one takes it a bit further in showing you how to connect to production databases and consume web services.
Hope this helps.

Take a look at the code to connect to fishindex_db
public class SQLiteHelper extends SQLiteOpenHelper {
private static final int DATABASE_VERSION = 1;
public static final String DATABASE_NAME = "fishindex_db.db";
public static final String TABLE_NAME = "fish";
public static final String _id = "id";
public static final String name = "name";
public static final String desc = "desc";
private SQLiteDatabase database;
SQLiteHelper sQLiteHelper = new SQLiteHelper(MainActivity.this);
public SQLiteHelper(Context context) {
super(context, DATABASE_NAME, null, DATABASE_VERSION);
}
//this is to get all records in fish table
public ArrayList<FishModel> getAllRecords() {
database = this.getReadableDatabase();
Cursor cursor = database.query(TABLE_NAME, null, null, null, null, null, null);
ArrayList<FishModel> fishes= new ArrayList<FishModel>();
FishModel fishModel;
if (cursor.getCount() > 0) {
for (int i = 0; i < cursor.getCount(); i++) {
cursor.moveToNext();
fishModel= new FishModel();
fishModel.setID(cursor.getString(0));
fishModel.setName(cursor.getString(1));
fishModel.setLastName(cursor.getString(2));
fishes.add(fishModel);
}
}
cursor.close();
database.close();
return contacts;
}