Real difference between AsyncTask and Thread

Question

I have been reading Android documentation (AsyncTask, Thread) and vogella tutorial about this matter, but I have doubts yet.

For example, I want to send a message fr

Answer 1

AsyncTask enables proper and easy use of the UI thread. - from Developer.

The thing is - AsyncTask is a special kind of Thread - one which is a GUI thread, it works in the background and also let's you do something with the GUI - it is basically "pre-programmed" for you with functions onPreExecute(), do inBackground(), onPostExecute().

In order to make Thread work that way, you have to write a loooot of code.

Answer 2

Please read this blog

http://crazyaboutandroid.blogspot.in/2011/12/difference-between-android.html

and Details are:

Difference between Android Service,Thread,IntentService and AsyncTask

When to use ?

Service

   Task with no UI, but shouldn't be too long. Use threads within service for long tasks.

Thread

- Long task in general.

- For tasks in parallel use Multiple threads (traditional mechanisms)

AsyncTask

- Small task having to communicate with main thread.

- For tasks in parallel use multiple instances OR Executor 

Answer 3

AsyncTask enables proper and easy use of the UI thread. This class allows to perform background operations and publish results on the UI thread without having to manipulate threads and/or handlers.

You can control its own functions

doInBackground(Params... params), onCancelled(), onPostExecute(Result result), onPreExecute(), nProgressUpdate(Progress... values), publishProgress(Progress... values)

Answer 4

in general using of 2 this features are equivalent, but AsyncTask is more simple in terms of integration with GUI

Answer 5

• I would prefer to Use Async Task as it will let you know when the background process gets started and over and when can I parse the response.
• Async has methods like onPreExecute and onPostExecute which will allow us to do tasks before and after calling the background tasks.

Answer 6

All other answers here are not complete, there is a big difference between AsyncTask and Thread, i.e.

Thread can be triggered from any thread, main(UI) or background; but AsyncTask must be triggered from main thread.

Also on lower API of Android(not sure, maybe API level < 11), one instance of AsyncTask can be executed only once.

For more information read Difference between Android Service, Thread, IntentService and AsyncTask

In general

Thread

• Long task in general.

• For tasks in parallel use Multiple threads (traditional mechanisms)

AsyncTask

• Small task having to communicate with main thread.

• For tasks in parallel use multiple instances OR Executor