I am creating an android app with Java in Android Studio, where I am planning to have a scripted progress bar. When it comes to python, using time.sleep() in a tkinter GUI slows and lags down the app if not done with threading, I wonder if there are any such consequences here if I just normally implement it. If there are no consequences as such I want to know why and If there are, what can I do.
Relatively new to how android apps work.
Using java.util.Timer in an Android app isn't ideal and can lead to inefficiencies. The Timer class creates a single background thread to execute tasks, which can become problematic if a task takes too long or throws an uncaught exception; this can terminate the timer's thread, causing subsequent tasks to be silently suppressed. Additionally, Timer doesn't integrate well with Android's lifecycle, making it less suitable for tasks that need to interact with the UI or be aware of the app's state.
A more robust and flexible alternative is ScheduledThreadPoolExecutor, which is part of the java.util.concurrent package. This class allows for better management of multiple scheduled tasks, provides a pool of threads to handle tasks concurrently, and offers improved error handling. It also integrates more seamlessly with Android's components.
For tasks that need to run on the main thread, such as updating the UI, consider using Handler or HandlerThread. Handler allows you to post tasks to the main thread's message queue, ensuring that UI updates are performed safely and efficiently. HandlerThread is a handy utility if you need a background thread with a looper.
In summary, while java.util.Timer can be used for simple scheduling, it's generally better to use ScheduledThreadPoolExecutor for more control and reliability, especially in the context of Android applications. For UI-related tasks, `Handler is the preferred choice to ensure smooth and responsive user experiences.