How to get a string from strings.xml by adding int to the name

Question

private int info = 1;

public void nextStep(View view)
{    
    TextView textInfo = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.textInfo);
    textInfo.setText(R.string.info1);
    info++;
}

When one button is clicked, method nextStep is called. And every time a button clicked, I want to show different info, first time it's info1 string, next time it's info2 string and etc. from strings.xml. I would like to do something like that:

private int info = 1;

public void nextStep(View view)
{    
    TextView textInfo = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.textInfo);
    textInfo.setText(R.string.info + info);
    info++;
}

Of course, it's not possible. What should I do? I really don't want to write a big if/else or switch statement. Thanks.

Cat · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-22 04:30:02Z

3

Of course, it's not possible.

Actually, it is. You can use getIdentifier to do this:

private int info = 1;
public void nextStep(View view)
{    
    TextView textInfo = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.textInfo);
    int myStrId = textInfo.getContext().getResources().getIdentifier("info"+info, "string", textInfo.getContext().getPackageName());
    textInfo.setText(myStrId);
    info++;
}

getIdentifer() is a way to fetch resource IDs that are stored in R if you don't know the exact name. While it isn't the most efficient method in the world, it suffices in situations where referencing R (such as your situation) is not possible.

The method returns the same ID that R would; that is, getIdentifier("info1", "id", ...); is the same as R.id.info1, since R is just a compiled version of it. This method also works in the event that you are unsure if an ID exists (such as from an external library) but need to reference it anyway.

edited Jul 22, 2012 at 4:30

answered Jul 22, 2012 at 4:11

Cat

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2 Comments

good_evening Over a year ago

And that is just awesome, wow. But maybe you could explain this answer a little bit?

Cat Over a year ago

There, I amended my post with a bit of explanation as well as a link to the documentation on it. Hope that's a bit more helpful! :)

Hovercraft Full Of Eels · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-22 02:53:14Z

1

Use an array of String or better a List<String> such as an ArrayList<String> and fill it with the Strings from the XML. Then you can use the get(int index) method to get the ith String in the list.

If you are using JAXB to unmarshall your XML, you can have it set up to create your List for you without much fuss.

answered Jul 22, 2012 at 2:53

Hovercraft Full Of Eels

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2 Comments

good_evening Over a year ago

So, on onCreate method, I should call a new methods, let's say, fillList() and do something like this: infoArrayList.add(R.string.info1); infoArrayList.add(R.string.info2); ex.infoArrayList(R.string.info3); and etc.? I made it, it works, but are you sure it's the easiest/best solution? Because everytime I add new info, I also need to add it to arraylist. Thank you.

Hovercraft Full Of Eels Over a year ago

@hey: No, I don't recommend anything as clunky as that, but rather would use JAXB to automatically create your list for you from your XML file. I'm not familiar with Android programming, but I do believe that JAXB, which is part of core Java, is available for you to use.

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