What is manifest file in Android?

Question

Can anybody explain me in simple words what is the use of Manifest file and R.java file in android.

Why do we need these files while making an application?

Answer 1

AndroidManifest.xml Manifest file for an android application is a resource file which contains all the details needed by the android system about the application. It is a key file that works as a bridge between the android developer and the android platform. It helps the developer to pass on functionality and requirements of our application to Android. This is an xml file which must be named as AndroidManifest.xml and placed at application root. Every Android app must have AndroidManifest.xml file. For more info check this link: https://javapapers.com/android/android-manifest/

Answer 2

Manifest file:

1. It is a declaration file.
2. Here only Which activity should start first, that has been declared.
3. It declares which permissions the application must have.
4. It also declares the permissions that others are required to have in order to interact.
5. It declares the minimum level of the Android API.
6. It lists the libraries that the application must be linked.
7. All the component should declared here.
8. The components are activities, services, broadcast receivers, and content providers.

R.java file:

1. It is an auto-generated file by aapt (Android Asset Packaging Tool) that contains resource IDs for all the resources of res/ directory.
2. If you create any component in the activity_main.xml file, id for the corresponding component is automatically created in this file.
3. This id can be used in the activity source file to perform any action on the component.

Answer 3

Every application must have an AndroidManifest.xml file (with precisely that name) in its root directory. The manifest presents essential information about the application to the Android system, information the system must have before it can run any of the application's code.

Check the following link

http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/manifest-intro.html

A project's R.java file is an index into all the resources defined in the file. You use this class in your source code as a sort of short-hand way to refer to resources you've included in your project. This is particularly powerful with the code-completion features of IDEs like Eclipse because it lets you quickly and interactively locate the specific reference you're looking for.

Check the following link

http://developer.android.com/resources/tutorials/hello-world.html

Answer 4

check this link,

http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/manifest-intro.html

Manifest

Every application must have an AndroidManifest.xml file (with precisely that name) in its root directory. The manifest presents essential information about the application to the Android system, information the system must have before it can run any of the application's code

R.Java

It will have identifier for all resource used in our project

thank you.

Answer 5

I think it is a good idea for you to read through the Android Hello World. Both AndroidManifest and R.java are explained.

Answer 6

In short terms Manifest provide the basic information of the application to Android Operating system.

For example say you have a feature in your app that scans a QR code which requires your app to access camera that won't work until unless you get the consent of the user to access their's phone camera which is done by runtime permissions.These permissions needs to be defined in the Manifest file for Android OS to know that this app will be using something related to camera of user's phone.

1. The manifest file describes essential information about your app to the Android build tools, the Android operating system, and Google Play.
2. The permissions that the app needs in order to access protected parts of the system or other apps.
3. The hardware and software features the app requires.