CODEWITHSUNDEEP
javaandroid
Arturs Vancans
Arturs Vancans

Reputation: 4640

Using a class to store static data in Java?

Is it a bad idea creating a separate class and use it as a storage which consists only of static data variables?

I am currently developing an app for android, but the question is general for Java.

In case of android, I am moving across activities and I would like to store some global/static flags/varibles in that separate class and being able to access them from any activity I want.

PS. The data is required only for the session time.

Upvotes: 8

Views: 12487

Answers (7)

nick.katsip
nick.katsip

Reputation: 868

I would suggest that you should encapsulate your global class with a Singleton class. See more at Singleton Design Pattern

Upvotes: 0

Alex Muni
Alex Muni

Reputation: 474

i suggest that "never" use a global variables ....

when you are accessing to another activity you can throw some values using Intent.putExtras(Name_parameter, "value_parameter")

and to recive the value : Bundle b = getIntent().getExtras(); where b has all parameters

cheers,

Upvotes: 1

Abhishek Bhandari
Abhishek Bhandari

Reputation: 623

Well ! As far as I know It might depend on the size of your project ! If its relatively large its good to use separate class to store static data (not only one class , you might come in need of keeping them two or more classes depending on the type of the static data used)

Upvotes: 0

Andro Selva
Andro Selva

Reputation: 54322

Well, that's not a bad idea. You can use such type of a class in Android. But a small correction here. Instead of maintaining a class that holds static Data, you can make that class to extend Application class and use it store the data.

Here is a example,

public class HelloApplication extends Application {
        private int globalVariable=1;

        public int getGlobalVariable() {
                return globalVariable;
        }

        public void setGlobalVariable(int globalVariable) {
                this.globalVariable = globalVariable;
        }
        @Override
        public void onCreate() {
                //reinitialize variable
        }
}

And in your Activity, do this,

(HelloApplication)getApplication()).setGlobalVariable(10);
int valiable=((HelloApplication)getApplication()).getGlobalVariable();

Taken from here..

And speak about SharedPreference, you should consider using them only when the value has to be stored for a long time. if not, you should make use of the Application class and use setters and getters which is the legitimate way to do this.

Upvotes: 7

Mohammod Hossain
Mohammod Hossain

Reputation: 4114

use SharedPreference to store flags and variables

http://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/SharedPreferences.html

For Global variable:

it would be better to use the Android Application class. It's meant to store global application state

Upvotes: 1

jeet
jeet

Reputation: 29199

Instead of Creating a Static class to save Global Variables, I would suggest you to use Application class.

see Link:

Android global variable

Upvotes: 2

Chirag
Chirag

Reputation: 56925

You can use SharedPreference to store flags and variables .

Look at this Preference Demo .

Upvotes: 5

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