The Android Lifecycle represents the various states that an Android component, such as an activity, fragment, service, or application, goes through during its lifetime. Understanding the Android Lifecycle is crucial for managing the behavior and resources of these components effectively. Here’s an overview of the Android Lifecycle and its key states:
Created: The component is created but not yet visible to the user. In this state, the component’s onCreate() method is called, where initialization tasks, such as setting up UI elements and data structures, are typically performed.
Started: The component becomes visible to the user but may not be in the foreground. In this state, the component’s onStart() method is called, indicating that the component is about to become visible to the user. Activities may transition to the started state from the created state, while fragments may transition from the resumed state.
Resumed: The component is in the foreground and actively interacting with the user. In this state, the component’s onResume() method is called, and it is ready to receive user input and update its UI. Activities and fragments typically transition to the resumed state after the started state.
Paused: The component is partially visible but not in the foreground. In this state, the component’s onPause() method is called, indicating that it is losing focus and may be partially obscured by another activity or dialog. Activities and fragments may transition to the paused state when another activity comes into the foreground.
Stopped: The component is no longer visible to the user and is no longer running. In this state, the component’s onStop() method is called, indicating that it is being stopped and may be removed from memory if necessary. Activities and fragments may transition to the stopped state when another activity covers them completely.
Destroyed: The component is being destroyed and is no longer in memory. In this state, the component’s onDestroy() method is called, indicating that it is being removed from memory and its resources are being released. Activities and fragments may transition to the destroyed state when the system needs to reclaim memory or when the user explicitly finishes the component.
Understanding the Android Lifecycle is essential for managing resources, handling state transitions, and implementing features such as saving and restoring instance state, managing background tasks, and coordinating interactions between different components in an Android application. By leveraging the lifecycle methods provided by the Android framework, developers can create responsive, efficient, and robust Android applications that provide a seamless user experience across various device configurations and usage scenarios.
