CODEWITHSUNDEEP
android
JaMic
JaMic

Reputation: 171

Is the Android Context mutable?

I want to store the application context in a static member, like this, so I can access it, the shared preferences, resources etc. everywhere.

My question is whether the context can change itself during the application lifetime, so the stored context won't work in a proper way and I can't access shared preferences etc.

Or is the context immutable, so I can use it without any doubt?

Thanks for you answers!

Upvotes: 3

Views: 386

Answers (4)

I'LL BE BACK
I'LL BE BACK

Reputation: 155

Yep, you can use it with shared preferences and get resources etc.

getApplicationContext() function should do it. It shouldn't matter if its mutable.

Upvotes: 0

Artyom Kiriliyk
Artyom Kiriliyk

Reputation: 2513

Context is immutable during all work of app. And you can use it in static way to get resources, shared preferences, etc.

Upvotes: 1

Frank
Frank

Reputation: 15641

When you look at the accepted answer of this post, you will find that it is Ok to do this, but handle with care...

There are a couple of potential problems with this approach, though in a lot of circumstances (such as your example) it will work well.

In particular you should be careful when dealing with anything that deals with the GUI that requires a Context. For example, if you pass the application Context into the LayoutInflator you will get an Exception. Generally speaking, your approach is excellent: it's good practice to use an Activity's Context within that Activity, and the Application Context when passing a context beyond the scope of an Activity to avoid memory leaks.

Upvotes: 0

Marcin Orlowski
Marcin Orlowski

Reputation: 75629

Application context stays unaltered during application lifetime.

Upvotes: 1

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