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Xamarin Mobile Development for Android Cookbook
Xamarin Mobile Development for Android Cookbook

Xamarin Mobile Development for Android Cookbook: Over 80 hands-on recipes to unleash full potential for Xamarin in development and monetization of feature-packed, real-world Android apps

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Xamarin Mobile Development for Android Cookbook

Chapter 2. Showing Views and Handling Fragments

In this chapter, we will cover the following recipes:

  • Using custom views with layouts
  • Creating and using fragments
  • Preserving view and fragment state
  • Navigating between fragments
  • Fragments and the action bar
  • Animating fragment navigation
  • Animating view and object properties
  • Animating views on the UI
  • Adding a navigation drawer with fragments
  • Applying local styles and global themes

Introduction

All apps have one thing in common: they all have some sort of user interface. Whether it is a rich set of controls or just a simple notification that something happened, all apps present the user with a means to consume information or provide data.

Users desire an interface that is easy to use and beautiful to look at. Often, the simplest way to improve the interface is to add a transition between states. This provides a way to move the user from one state to another, but without a sharp and sudden change.

In order to move the user between states or allow the user to initiate such a movement, the app needs to provide a set of actions or navigation points. As navigation through the app is often not the primary function of the app, these controls should be placed within easy reach but should not obstruct the real functionality.

Animations and transitions do not change the functionality of an app, but they do make the user experience more enjoyable. Navigation is often the most...

Using custom views with layouts

One of the most important parts is the user interface, as it is the most visible part of an app. When we create apps for Android devices, sometimes we may need to create custom views.

How to do it...

Creating a new UI control involves creating a new type, inheriting either directly or indirectly from one of the View types. Here's how it's done:

  1. If we want to create more advanced button control, we must create a new type inheriting from the Button type. We also need to ensure that the namespace is user friendly as it will be used in the layout files:
    namespace XamarinCookbook.Views {
      public class TimedButton : Button {
      }
    }
  2. Now we can implement the functionality that this button provides:
    public int Interval { get; set; }
    
    private async void OnClicked(object sender, EventArgs e) {
      // disable the button for several seconds
      if (Interval > 0) {
        Enabled = false;
        await Task.Delay(Interval * 1000);
        Enabled = true;
      }
    }
  3. As this control can...

Creating and using fragments

Sometimes normal layouts aren't dynamic enough or we may have to reuse sections of the UI and its related code.

Getting ready

To add fragments to our app we need to be targeting Android version 3.0 and above; for versions below that, we need to have installed the Xamarin.Android.Support.v4 package.

How to do it...

In order to make use of fragments in our apps, we need to create a new fragment type. Then, either in the layout or in the code, we can insert the fragments into their appropriate places in the UI. Let's take a look at the following steps:

  1. To make a master-detail app, we need a menu or list of items to select. For the menu fragment we are going to inherit from ListFragment, which is very similar to ListActivity, and set the ListAdapter property:
    public class MenuFragment : ListFragment {
      public override void OnStart() {
        base.OnStart();
    
        ListAdapter = new ArrayAdapter(
          Activity,
          Android.Resource.Layout.SimpleListItem1,
       ...

Preserving view and fragment state

It is important to save the state of a view, fragment, or activity. Each has a limited lifetime and may be stopped at any point, such as when the user closes the activity, navigates away from, or even rotates the device.

How to do it...

In order to preserve the state across certain actions, such as when the user switches between apps, we should save the state to the instance state parcel. Let's take a look at the following steps:

  1. Saving state for a view is done by inheriting from a type that implements the IParcelable interface, such as BaseSavedState:
    private class InstanceState : BaseSavedState {
      public InstanceState(IParcelable superState)
      : base(superState) {
      }
    
      public InstanceState(Parcel parcel)
      : base(parcel) {
        Interval = parcel.ReadInt();
      }
    
      public int Interval { get; set; }
    
      public override void WriteToParcel(
        Parcel dest, ParcelableWriteFlags flags) {
          base.WriteToParcel(dest, flags);
          dest.WriteInt(Interval...

Navigating between fragments

Fragments can be navigated through and back, like activities. Sometimes we have a layout that will be displayed when a user selects an option, and we want the back navigation to be as seamless as pressing the back button.

How to do it...

When it comes to navigation with fragments, we do not insert the fragments into the layout. Rather, we use an empty container layout. Then, at runtime, we insert the correct fragment:

  1. First, we are going to add a new layout for portrait view. Landscape will be the original two-pane layout, and the new portrait view will have the single pane, but with swapping (Resources/layout-port/Main.axml):
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <FrameLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
      android:id="@+id/fragmentContainer"
      android:layout_width="match_parent"
      android:layout_height="match_parent"/>
  2. Next, we need to initialize FrameLayout by...

Introduction


All apps have one thing in common: they all have some sort of user interface. Whether it is a rich set of controls or just a simple notification that something happened, all apps present the user with a means to consume information or provide data.

Users desire an interface that is easy to use and beautiful to look at. Often, the simplest way to improve the interface is to add a transition between states. This provides a way to move the user from one state to another, but without a sharp and sudden change.

In order to move the user between states or allow the user to initiate such a movement, the app needs to provide a set of actions or navigation points. As navigation through the app is often not the primary function of the app, these controls should be placed within easy reach but should not obstruct the real functionality.

Animations and transitions do not change the functionality of an app, but they do make the user experience more enjoyable. Navigation is often the most jarring...

Using custom views with layouts


One of the most important parts is the user interface, as it is the most visible part of an app. When we create apps for Android devices, sometimes we may need to create custom views.

How to do it...

Creating a new UI control involves creating a new type, inheriting either directly or indirectly from one of the View types. Here's how it's done:

  1. If we want to create more advanced button control, we must create a new type inheriting from the Button type. We also need to ensure that the namespace is user friendly as it will be used in the layout files:

    namespace XamarinCookbook.Views {
      public class TimedButton : Button {
      }
    }
  2. Now we can implement the functionality that this button provides:

    public int Interval { get; set; }
    
    private async void OnClicked(object sender, EventArgs e) {
      // disable the button for several seconds
      if (Interval > 0) {
        Enabled = false;
        await Task.Delay(Interval * 1000);
        Enabled = true;
      }
    }
  3. As this control can be created...

Creating and using fragments


Sometimes normal layouts aren't dynamic enough or we may have to reuse sections of the UI and its related code.

Getting ready

To add fragments to our app we need to be targeting Android version 3.0 and above; for versions below that, we need to have installed the Xamarin.Android.Support.v4 package.

How to do it...

In order to make use of fragments in our apps, we need to create a new fragment type. Then, either in the layout or in the code, we can insert the fragments into their appropriate places in the UI. Let's take a look at the following steps:

  1. To make a master-detail app, we need a menu or list of items to select. For the menu fragment we are going to inherit from ListFragment, which is very similar to ListActivity, and set the ListAdapter property:

    public class MenuFragment : ListFragment {
      public override void OnStart() {
        base.OnStart();
    
        ListAdapter = new ArrayAdapter(
          Activity,
          Android.Resource.Layout.SimpleListItem1,
          new [] {...

Preserving view and fragment state


It is important to save the state of a view, fragment, or activity. Each has a limited lifetime and may be stopped at any point, such as when the user closes the activity, navigates away from, or even rotates the device.

How to do it...

In order to preserve the state across certain actions, such as when the user switches between apps, we should save the state to the instance state parcel. Let's take a look at the following steps:

  1. Saving state for a view is done by inheriting from a type that implements the IParcelable interface, such as BaseSavedState:

    private class InstanceState : BaseSavedState {
      public InstanceState(IParcelable superState)
      : base(superState) {
      }
    
      public InstanceState(Parcel parcel)
      : base(parcel) {
        Interval = parcel.ReadInt();
      }
    
      public int Interval { get; set; }
    
      public override void WriteToParcel(
        Parcel dest, ParcelableWriteFlags flags) {
          base.WriteToParcel(dest, flags);
          dest.WriteInt(Interval);
      ...

Navigating between fragments


Fragments can be navigated through and back, like activities. Sometimes we have a layout that will be displayed when a user selects an option, and we want the back navigation to be as seamless as pressing the back button.

How to do it...

When it comes to navigation with fragments, we do not insert the fragments into the layout. Rather, we use an empty container layout. Then, at runtime, we insert the correct fragment:

  1. First, we are going to add a new layout for portrait view. Landscape will be the original two-pane layout, and the new portrait view will have the single pane, but with swapping (Resources/layout-port/Main.axml):

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <FrameLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
      android:id="@+id/fragmentContainer"
      android:layout_width="match_parent"
      android:layout_height="match_parent"/>
  2. Next, we need to initialize FrameLayout by loading the first fragment, MenuFragment, at startup. If FrameLayout...

Fragments and the action bar


We can access the action bar from a fragment and make customizations to aid the user on a per-fragment basis. Items can be added, and you can also customize the up navigation, keeping a consistent structure with the rest of the app.

How to do it...

When a fragment is added to the activity, we can allow that fragment to add items to the action bar. This is similar to providing items from the activity. Let's take a look at the following steps:

  1. First, we want to add items to the action bar from the fragment, so we let the activity know we have a menu:

    public override void OnCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      base.OnCreate(savedInstanceState);
      SetHasOptionsMenu(true);
    }

    Tip

    If the target Android version is below version 3.0, the HasOptionsMenu property is used instead of the SetHasOptionsMenu() method.

  2. We then create the menu structure in the menu resource folder:

    <menu xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
      xmlns:yourapp="http://schemas.android...
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Key benefits

  • Create a number of Android applications using the Xamarin Android platform
  • Extensively integrate your Android devices with other Android devices to enhance your app creation experience
  • A comprehensive guide packed with real-world scenarios and pro-level practices and techniques to help you build successful Android apps

Description

Xamarin is used by developers to write native iOS, Android, and Windows apps with native user interfaces and share code across multiple platforms not just on mobile devices, but on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Developing apps with Xamarin.Android allows you to use and re-use your code and your skills on different platforms, making you more productive in any development. Although it’s not a write-once-run-anywhere framework, Xamarin provides native platform integration and optimizations. There is no middleware; Xamarin.Android talks directly to the system, taking your C# and F# code directly to the low levels. This book will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to be part of the mobile development era using C#. Covering a wide range of recipes such as creating a simple application and using device features effectively, it will be your companion to the complete application development cycle. Starting with installing the necessary tools, you will be guided on everything you need to develop an application ready to be deployed. You will learn the best practices for interacting with the device hardware, such as GPS, NFC, and Bluetooth. Furthermore, you will be able to manage multimedia resources such as photos and videos captured with the device camera, and so much more! By the end of this book, you will be able to create Android apps as a result of learning and implementing pro-level practices, techniques, and solutions. This book will ascertain a seamless and successful app building experience.

Who is this book for?

If you are a Xamarin developer who wants to create complete Android applications with Xamarin, then this book is ideal for you. No prior knowledge of Android development is needed, however a basic knowledge of C# and .NET would be useful.

What you will learn

  • Install and use Xamarin.Android with Xamarin Studio and Visual Studio
  • Design an app's user interface for multiple device configurations
  • Store and protect data in databases, files, and on the cloud
  • Utilize lists and collections to present data to the user
  • Communicate across the network using NFC or Bluetooth
  • Perform tasks in the background and update the user with notifications
  • Capture and play multimedia, such as video and audio, with the camera
  • Implement In-App Billing and Expansion Files and deploy to the store

Product Details

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Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Nov 24, 2015
Length: 456 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781784395872
Vendor :
Microsoft
Category :
Languages :
Tools :

What do you get with eBook?

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Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
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Product Details

Publication date : Nov 24, 2015
Length: 456 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781784395872
Vendor :
Microsoft
Category :
Languages :
Tools :

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Table of Contents

14 Chapters
1. Working with Xamarin.Android Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Showing Views and Handling Fragments Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Managing App Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Presenting App Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Communicating with the Outside World Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. Using Background Tasks Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Notifying Users Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Interacting with Other Apps Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. Presenting Multimedia Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
10. Responding to the User Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
11. Connecting to Wearables Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
12. Adding In-App Billing Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
13. Publishing Apps Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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(1 Ratings)
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1 star 0%
Tony UK Oct 13, 2018
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 3
Covers lots of functionality that i probably wont use in a business app, what i could do with was better examples, the recipes are hard to find the correct code for. Not very in depth either. Best i could find though.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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