What is Context in Android?


In Android programming, what exactly is a Context class and what is it used for? I read about it on the developer site, but I am unable to understand it clearly.



Putting it simply:



Typical uses of context:

  • Creating New objects: Creating new views, adapters, listeners:

    TextView tv = new TextView(getContext());
    ListAdapter adapter = new SimpleCursorAdapter(getApplicationContext(), ...);
  • Accessing Standard Common Resources: Services like LAYOUT_INFLATER_SERVICE, SharedPreferences:

    getApplicationContext().getSharedPreferences(*name*, *mode*);
  • Accessing Components Implicitly: Regarding content providers, broadcasts, intent

    getApplicationContext().getContentResolver().query(uri, ...);
  • answered 4 years ago
  • Sunny Solu


Definition of Context::

  • Context represents environment data
  • It provides access to things such as databases

Simpler terms ::

  • Consider Person-X is the CEO of a start-up software company.

  • There is a lead architect present in the company, this lead architect does all the work in the company which involves such as database, UI etc.

  • Now the CEO Hires a new Developer.

  • It is the Architect who tells the responsibility of the newly hired person based on the skills of the new person that whether he will work on Database or UI etc.

Simpler terms ::

  • It's like access of android activity to the app's resource.

  • It's similar to when you visit a hotel, you want breakfast, lunch & dinner in the suitable timings, right?

  • There are many other things you like during the time of stay. How do you get these things?

  • You ask the room-service person to bring these things for you.

  • Here the room-service person is the context considering you are the single activity and the hotel to be your app, finally the breakfast, lunch & dinner have to be the resources.

Things that involve context are:

  1. Loading a resource.
  2. Launching a new activity.
  3. Creating views.
  4. obtaining system service.

Context is the base class for Activity, Service, Application .... etc

Another way to describe this: Consider context as remote of a TV & channel's in the television are resources, services, using intents etc - - - Here remote acts as an access to get access to all the different resources into foreground.

  • So, Remote has access to channels such as resources, services, using intents etc ....
  • Likewise ..... Whoever has access to remote naturally has access to all the things such as resources, services, using intents etc

Different invoking methods by which you can get context

  • getApplicationContext()
  • getContext()
  • getBaseContext()
  • or this (when in the activity class)


TextView TV=new TextView(this);

this -> refers to the context of the current activity.

  • answered 4 years ago
  • G John

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