What is Searchable configuration, searchable activity?

Question

I am designing a simple search feature for my application, I have Successfully created a search icon on the toolbar of my screen. Now I'm having problems in implementing brains (working) behind the search feature

• Through Android's official documentation for setting up search interface, I
  came across this various procedure of creating a searchable configuration, searchable activity, ACTION_SEARCH!

• I'm new to android development, I'm having a tough time in understanding all these concepts, Can someone explain the above procedure in simple terms?

Answer 1

1. Through Android's official documentation for setting up search interface, I came across this various procedure of creating a searchable configuration, searchable activity, ACTION_SEARCH!

2. I'm new to android development, I'm having a tough time in understanding all these concepts, Can someone explain the above procedure in simple terms?

Well, It's easy. First, Read the Creating a Search Interface. Second, Starts from here by adding an xml in the res/xml/ project directory.

Then, You'll need to create a Searchable Activity by following link:

Creating a Searchable Activity

After creating the Searchable Activity, You'll need to declare it on AndroidManifest.xml, Just add the following to your SearchableActivity:

<activity android:name=".SearchableActivity" >
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.SEARCH" />
        </intent-filter>
        <meta-data android:name="android.app.searchable"
                   android:resource="@xml/searchable"/>
    </activity>

After all these, Read this : PerformingSearch And Receive the query from your Activity when user do the searches(Like MainActivity to SearchableActivity).