Get an integer array from an xml resource in Android program

Question

Just a quickie,

i have an xml resource in res/values/integers.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<resources>
     <integer-array name="UserBases">
          <item>2</item>
          <item>8</item>
          <item>10</item>
          <item>16</item>
     </integer-array>
</resources>

and ive tried several things to access it:

int[] bases = R.array.UserBases;

this just returns and int reference to UserBases not the array itself

int[] bases = Resources.getSystem().getIntArray(R.array.UserBases);

and this throws an exception back at me telling me the int reference R.array.UserBases points to nothing

what is the best way to access this array, push it into a nice base-type int[] and then possibly push any modifications back into the xml resource.

I've checked the android documentation but I haven't found anything terribly fruitful.

Dan Lew · Accepted Answer · 2010-01-14 14:42:47Z

69

You need to use Resources to get the int array; however you're using the system resources, which only includes the standard Android resources (e.g., those accessible via android.R.array.*). To get your own resources, you need to access the Resources via one of your Contexts.

For example, all Activities are Contexts, so in an Activity you can do this:

Resources r = getResources();
int[] bases = r.getIntArray(R.array.UserBases);

This is why it's often useful to pass around Context; you'll need it to get a hold of your application's Resources.

answered Jan 14, 2010 at 14:42

Dan Lew

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2 Comments

JERiv Over a year ago

Cool Beans! Thanks a lot. also whats the best way to add and remove items from the array (save editing raw xml) - essentially updating any changes from the int[] to the xml.

Dan Lew Over a year ago

I'm not sure it's possible to update the xml from code; all resources xml is compiled into binary when you build the apk. You should make a new question on it, maybe someone else knows.

Zainal Fahrudin · Accepted Answer · 2023-02-25 00:57:34Z

0

get an array from xml resources of android project can be accessed.

from array.xml

<string-array name="weather_values">
    <item>sunny</item>
    <item>cloudy</item>
    <item>rainy</item>
</string-array>

in Activity

String[] stringsArray = getApplicationContext().getResources().getStringArray(R.array.weather_values);

in Fragment

String[] stringsArray = getContext().getResources().getStringArray(R.array.weather_values);

for output in log

System.out.println("Array Values " + Arrays.toString(stringsArray));

output is

I/System.out: Array Values [sunny, cloudy, rainy]

edited Feb 25, 2023 at 0:57

Zainal Fahrudin

6067 silver badges26 bronze badges

answered Feb 20, 2023 at 10:17

M. AsadUllah

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