Develop Reference

Android: Pause and resume a thread within an activity

EDIT: I've found that what I'm describing below only occurs on my emulated device (Nexus 5, target api 19, 4.4.2 with Intel Atom (x86) cpu), but NOT on my physical device (HTC One)....
EDIT2: Edit1 was due to an IllegalStateException that I didnt catch. Added some code to check if the thread was already running before trying to start it. This combined with the accepted answer resolved my issue.
I have implemented an activty that starts a new thread in the activity's onCreate method, like this:
...
private boolean running;
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
running = true;
new Thread(null, work, "myThread").start();
}
Runnable work = new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
while (running) {
//Doing work
}
}
};
I'm "pausing" my thread with my activity's onPause method, like this:
#Override
protected void onPause() {
running = false;
super.onPause();
}
So I thought that resuming it would be just as easy...¨
#Override
protected void onResume(){
running = true;
super.onResume();
}
but my thread isn't resuming. Any ideas why? Thankful for any help.
Marcus

All of the answers i think have some issues about your running variable because you can not write and read a variable from two different Threads without synchronized block so i post my own answer:
package com.example.threadandtoast;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.support.v7.app.ActionBarActivity;
import android.widget.Toast;
public class MainActivity extends ActionBarActivity {
public class MonitorObject{
public boolean running = true;
public String message = "";
public boolean mustBePost = true;
}
Thread t;
int threadNameCounter = 0; // i use this variable to make sure that old thread is deleted
// when i pause, you can see it and track it in DDMS
Runnable work = new Runnable() {
boolean myRunning;
#Override
public void run() {
synchronized(mSync) {
myRunning = mSync.running;
}
while (myRunning) {
runOnUiThread(new Runnable() { // in order to update the UI (create Toast)
#Override // we must switch to main thread
public void run() {
// i want to read the message so i must use synchronized block
synchronized(mSync) {
// i use this variable to post a message just for one time because i am in an infinite loop
// if i do not set a limit on the toast i create it infinite times
if(mSync.mustBePost){
Toast.makeText(MainActivity.this, mSync.message, Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
// the message post so i must set it to false
mSync.mustBePost = false;
// if i am going to pause set mSync.running to false so at the end of infinite loop
//of thread he reads it and leaves the loop
if(mSync.message.equals("Main Activity is going to pause")){
mSync.running=false;
}
}
}
}
});
synchronized(mSync) {
myRunning = mSync.running;
}
}
}
};
final MonitorObject mSync = new MonitorObject();
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
}
#Override
protected void onPause() {
super.onPause();
synchronized(mSync) {
// mSync.running = false; you can not set it here because
// it is possible for the thread to read it and exit the loop before he posts your message
mSync.mustBePost=true;
mSync.message = "Main Activity is going to pause";
}
}
#Override
protected void onResume(){
super.onResume();
threadNameCounter++;
synchronized(mSync) {
mSync.running = true;
mSync.mustBePost=true;
mSync.message = "Main Activity is going to resume";
}
t = new Thread(work,"My Name is " + String.valueOf(threadNameCounter));
t.start();
}
}
Or you can use this code:
public class MainActivity extends ActionBarActivity {
Thread t;
int threadNameCounter = 0; // i use this variable to make sure that old thread is deleted
// when i pause, you can see it in DDMS
String message = "";
boolean isPost = false;
Runnable work = new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
while (true) {
runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
if(!isPost){
Toast.makeText(MainActivity.this, message, Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
isPost = true;
if( message.equals("Main Activity is going to pause")){
t.interrupt();
}
}
}
});
if(Thread.currentThread().isInterrupted()){
break;
}
}
}
};
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
}
#Override
protected void onPause() {
super.onPause();
message = "Main Activity is going to pause";
isPost = false;
}
#Override
protected void onResume(){
super.onResume();
message = "Main Activity is going to resume";
isPost = false;
threadNameCounter++;
t = new Thread(work,"My Name is " + String.valueOf(threadNameCounter));
t.start();
}
}
you can also use semaphore or wait-notify approach.
i put public String message = ""; and public boolean mustBePost = true; in to mSync object but it is
not necessary because only main thread have an access to them.
if you have any problem please ask.

The statement running = false; will stop execution of the Thread, instead of pausing it. Use two variables: One for stopping current Thread, and another for pausing and resuming the Thread, as follow:
boolean isThreadPause=false;
Runnable work = new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
while (running) {
if (!isThreadPause) {
// Doing work
}
}
}
};
In the onPause event of the Activity, set isThreadPause to true, and in the onResume event, set isThreadPause to false.

This is because your Runnable object stops when the while loop stops. You could try this:
Runnable work = new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
while () {
if(running){
//Doing work
}
}
}
};

Android dev't using thread with textview: why this is crashing?

My goal is when the user tap start button, letters "o" "n" "o" "m" and so forth will appear at the center of the screen. "o" will appear first then after a few seconds will be replaced by "n" then "o" and so forth.
note: for brevity, i just make the guessword = onomatopoeia, first. In reality, guessword will changes every time i tap the start bottom.
this is the code:
private String guessword = "onomatopoeia";
private TextView showchar;
private int n = guessword.length();
private char letArray[]= guessword.toCharArray();;
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_play);
addStartListener();
}
public void addStartListener(){
Button start = (Button) findViewById(R.id.start);
showchar = (TextView) findViewById (R.id.charView);
start.setOnClickListener(new OnClickListener(){
#Override
public void onClick(View arg0) {
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
Thread thread = new Thread()
{
#Override
public void run() {
try {
for(int i = 0 ; i < n ; i++) {
sleep(1000);
showchar.setText(letArray[i]);
}
} catch (InterruptedException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
};
thread.start();
}
});
}
thanks for the help
I decided to implement runonuithread but still it crashes:
this is the updated version:
private String guessword = "onomatopoeia";
private TextView showchar;
private int n = guessword.length();
private char letArray[]= guessword.toCharArray();
private Handler handler;
private int i = 0;
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_play);
handler = new Handler();
showchar = (TextView) findViewById (R.id.charView);
}
public void startGame(View view){
new Thread() {
public void run() {
while(i++ < n) {
try {
runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
showchar.setText(letArray[i]);
}
});
Thread.sleep(300);
} catch (InterruptedException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
}
}.start();
}

use this code for setting the text in your textview
runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
showchar.setText(letArray[i]);
}
});

You are updating ui from a thread which is not possible.
showchar.setText(letArray[i]);
UI must be updated ui thread.
All you are doing is repeatedly setting value to TextView you can use Handler with a delay for this purpose.
You could use runOnUiThread also but i don't see the need for a thread for what you are doing.
Use a Handler. You can find an example #
Android Thread for a timer

Splash Screen not working with Thread

I write a Splash Screeen to run at the boot time of application
public class SplashScreen extends Activity {
ImageView imgView;
int[] imgID = new int[]{R.drawable.frame0, R.drawable.frame1, R.drawable.frame2, R.drawable.frame3,
R.drawable.frame4, R.drawable.frame5, R.drawable.frame6};
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.splash);
imgView = (ImageView) findViewById(R.id.imgSplash);
new Thread(new WelcomeScreen()).start();
}
private class WelcomeScreen implements Runnable {
#Override
public void run() {
try {
for (int i = 0; i < imgID.length; i++)
{
imgView.setImageResource(imgID[i]);
sleep(500);
}
} catch (InterruptedException e) {
}finally {
Intent intent = new Intent(SplashScreen.this,LoginActivity.class);
startActivity(intent);
finish();
}
}
}
}
It getting error "Sorry the application has stopped unexpectedly" . I don't know why . Somebody can help me ????

you can not set the resource for yuor ImageView inside a thread different from the UI Thread.
you can use runOnUiThread. It takes as paramter a runnable, and post it in the UI Thread queue. There, the UI thead takes it and update your ImageView. All in all your runnable will become:
private class WelcomeScreen implements Runnable {
#Override
public void run() {
try {
for (int i = 0; i < imgID.length; i++)
{
final int resuorceId = imgID[i];
runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
imgView.setImageResource(resuorceId);
}
});
sleep(500);
}
} catch (InterruptedException e) {
}finally {
Intent intent = new Intent(SplashScreen.this,LoginActivity.class);
startActivity(intent);
finish();
}
}

You can not access your views from Thread.
You will need to put your code imgView.setImageResource(imgID[i]); in runOnUiThread
use like:
runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
imgView.setImageResource(imgID[i]);
}
});
Thanks

You can not change something in UI from non-UI thread so replace this you code:
imgView.setImageResource(imgID[i]);
to:
runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
imgView.setImageResource(imgID[i]);
}
});

//try code this way...
public class SplashScreen extends Activity {
private Intent launchIntent;
private Thread splashThread; //used for perform splash screen operation
private int splashTime = 10000, sleepTime = 50; //used for threading operation
private boolean active = true; //used for touch event
#Override
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.splashscreen); //Set splashscreen.xml here
try {
splashThread = new Thread() { // Creating Thread for splash the screen
#Override
public void run() { // run method implemented to perform threading operation
try {
int waitTime = 0; //counter for threading
do {
sleep(sleepTime); //delay for specific time
if (active)
waitTime += 100;
//write your image code here that display your no. of images
} while (active && (waitTime < splashTime)); //Check touch condition and counter
} catch (Exception e) {
// to handle runtime error of run method
Validation.displayToastMessage(SplashScreen.this, e.toString()); //Call static method of class ToastMessage
}
finish(); //finish current activity
startJustCoupleActivityScreen(); //Call below defined function
}
};
splashThread.start(); //start thread here
} catch (Exception e) {
message("SplashScreen : "+ e.toString()); //Call static method of class ToastMessage
}
}
public void startJustCoupleActivityScreen() {
launchIntent=new Intent(SplashScreen.this,JustCoupleActivity.class); //call Next Screen
startActivity(launchIntent); //start new activity
}
#Override
public boolean onTouchEvent(MotionEvent event) { //onTouch Event
//on touch it immediate skip splash screen
if(event.getAction()==MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN) active=false; //Check Touch happened or not
return true;
}
public void message(String msg)
{
Validation.displayToastMessage(SplashScreen.this, msg); //display Error Message
}
}

problem in thread running

i doing simple stop watch with [start/pause] and [reset] button. problem occur when i pressed start button after pause. the run method is not calling. please help me.
my code is
public class StopWatch3 extends Activity implements Runnable{
// text view influenced by the Thread
private TextView threadModifiedText;
int time=0;
Button b1,b2,b3;
boolean shouldRun = false;
/** Called when the activity is first created. */
Thread currentThread = new Thread(this);
#Override
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.stopwatch);
b1=(Button)findViewById(R.id.button1);
b2=(Button)findViewById(R.id.button2);
b3=(Button)findViewById(R.id.button3);
threadModifiedText = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.textView1);
Log.e("before",""+currentThread.getState());
b1.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener()
{
public void onClick(View view)
{
Log.e("stopw",(String) b1.getText());
if(b1.getText().toString().equals("start")){
if(currentThread.getState()==Thread.State.NEW){
currentThread.start();
Log.e("after",""+currentThread.getState());
shouldRun = true;
b1.setText("pause");
}
else{
shouldRun = true;
b1.setText("pause");
}
}
else if(b1.getText().toString().equals("pause")){
shouldRun = false;
b1.setText("start");
}
}
});
b2.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener()
{
public void onClick(View view)
{
time=0;
}
});
}
#Override
public void run(){
try {
while(shouldRun){
Thread.sleep(1000);
threadHandler.sendEmptyMessage(0);
}
} catch (InterruptedException e) {
}
}
private Handler threadHandler = new Handler() {
public void handleMessage(android.os.Message msg) {
time++;
threadModifiedText.setText(""+time);
}
};
}

You cannot start thread after it finishes it's job, and his state is no longer NEW anyway, you'll have to create a new thread in this case.
When you press "start" the second time, you reach this part:
else{
shouldRun = true;
b1.setText("pause");
}
And nothing in this code will make the thread run again of course...

I think your thread just runs to an end when you set shouldRun to false.
Enclose your while loop into another while loop that is true as long as your program runs.

Update UI from an event with a thread

Im working on a small application to try out an idea that I have. The idea is to periodically update the UI when event of some sort occurs. In the demo I've created, I'm updating a ProgressDialog every 2 seconds for 15 turns.
The problem I am having, which I don't quite understand is that when an event is handled, I send a message to the handler which is supposed to update the message in the ProgressDialog. When this happens however, I get an exception which states that I can't update the UI from that thread.
The following code appears in my Activity:
ProgressDialog diag;
String diagMessage = "Started loading...";
final static int MESSAGE_DATA_RECEIVED = 0;
final static int MESSAGE_RECEIVE_COMPLETED = 1;
final Handler handler = new Handler(){
#Override
public void handleMessage(Message msg){
diag.setMessage(diagMessage);
switch(msg.what){
case MESSAGE_DATA_RECEIVED:
break;
case MESSAGE_RECEIVE_COMPLETED:
dismissDialog();
killDialog();
break;
}
}
};
Boolean isRunning = false;
/**
* Called when the activity is first created.
*/
#Override
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setupDialog();
if(isRunning){
showDialog();
}
setContentView(R.layout.main);
}
void setupDialog(){
if(diag == null){
diag = new ProgressDialog(ThreadLoading.this);
diag.setMessage(diagMessage);
}
}
void showDialog(){
isRunning = true;
if(diag != null && !diag.isShowing()){
diag.show();
}
}
void dismissDialog(){
if(diag != null && diag.isShowing()){
diag.dismiss();
}
}
void killDialog(){
isRunning = false;
}
public void onStart(){
super.onStart();
showDialog();
Thread background = new Thread(new Runnable(){
public void run(){
try{
final ThreadRunner tr = new ThreadRunner();
tr.setOnDataReceivedListener(new ThreadRunner.OnDataReceivedListener(){
public void onDataReceived(String message){
diagMessage = message;
handler.handleMessage(handler.obtainMessage(MESSAGE_DATA_RECEIVED));
}
});
tr.setOnDataDownloadCompletedEventListener(new ThreadRunner.OnDataDownloadCompletedListener(){
public void onDataDownloadCompleted(String message){
diagMessage = message;
handler.handleMessage(handler.obtainMessage(MESSAGE_RECEIVE_COMPLETED));
}
});
tr.runProcess();
}
catch(Throwable t){
throw new RuntimeException(t);
}
}
});
background.start();
}
#Override
public void onPause(){
super.onPause();
dismissDialog();
}
For curiosity sake, here's the code for the ThreadRunner class:
public interface OnDataReceivedListener {
public void onDataReceived(String message);
}
public interface OnDataDownloadCompletedListener {
public void onDataDownloadCompleted(String message);
}
private OnDataReceivedListener onDataReceivedEventListener;
private OnDataDownloadCompletedListener onDataDownloadCompletedEventListener;
int maxLoop = 15;
int loopCount = 0;
int sleepTime = 2000;
public void setOnDataReceivedListener(OnDataReceivedListener onDataReceivedListener){
this.onDataReceivedEventListener = onDataReceivedListener;
}
public void setOnDataDownloadCompletedEventListener(OnDataDownloadCompletedListener onDataDownloadCompletedListener){
this.onDataDownloadCompletedEventListener = onDataDownloadCompletedListener;
}
public void runProcess(){
for(loopCount = 0; loopCount < maxLoop; loopCount++){
try{
Thread.sleep(sleepTime);
onDataReceivedEventListener.onDataReceived(Integer.toString(loopCount));
}
catch(Throwable t){
throw new RuntimeException(t);
}
}
onDataDownloadCompletedEventListener.onDataDownloadCompleted("Download is completed");
}
Am I missing something? The logic makes sense to me and it looks like everything should work, I'm using a handler to update the UI like it is recommended.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tyrone
P.S. I'm developing for Android 1.5

I found the problem. After comparing my code with someone else's code which was very similar, the following small problem was found:
handler.handleMessage(handler.obtainMessage(MESSAGE_RECEIVE_COMPLETED));
Should actually be:
handler.sendMessage(handler.obtainMessage(MESSAGE_RECEIVE_COMPLETED));
Hopefully someone finds this useful and learns from my mistake :)
Regards,
Tyrone