Tag: startService

A Service which runs off a completely separate thread to the main. All IntentService requests are handled on a single background thread and are issued in order. Therefore IntentServices are good for tasks that need to happen in order.

Services must be registered in the AndroidManifest.xml:
        <service
            android:name=".sync.myIntentService"
            android:exported="false"
            ></service>

An Intent Service can be started in a very similar way to an Activity:
Intent myIntent = new Intent(this, myIntentService.class);
startService(myIntent);

Extra data can be attached to the Intent when starting the Service, as with Activities:
Intent myIntent = new Intent(this, myIntentService.class);
myIntent.setAction("Some specific action");
startService(myIntent);

To create the Service, extend IntentService. Override the onHandle Intent method to tell it what to do in the background:
public class MyIntentService extends IntentService {

    @Override
    protected void onHandleIntent(Intent intent) {
        String action = intent.getAction(); //Add this line if extra data attached
        //Do background work here
    }
}

The IntentService will then stop itself when it is finished.
ud851-Exercises-student\Lesson10-Hydration-Reminder\T10.01