What is the difference between ArrayAdapter , BaseAdapter and ListAdapter

Question

Could you please tell me difference between ArrayAdapter , BaseAdapter and ListAdapter.

Solution 1

BaseAdapter as the name suggests, is a base class for all the adapters.

When you are extending the Base adapter class you need to implement all the methods like getCount(), getId() etc.

ArrayAdapter is a class which can work with array of data. You need to override only getview() method.

ListAdapter is a an interface implemented by concrete adapter classes.

BaseAdapter is an abstract class whereas ArrayAdapter and ListAdapter are the concrete classes.

ArrayAdapter and ListAdapter classes are developed since in general we deal with the array data sets and list data sets.

Solution 2

ListAdapter

It is an interface that extended Adapter which is the bridge between a ListView and the data that backs the list.

BaseAdaper

Common base class of common implementation for an Adapter that can be used in both ListView (by implementing the specialized ListAdapter interface} and Spinner (by implementing the specialized SpinnerAdapter interface.

ArrayAdapter

A concrete BaseAdapter that is backed by an array of arbitrary objects.

Refer below links

1. ListAdapter

2. BaseAdapter

3. ArrayAdapter

Comments

[Spinner]

You are correct in saying that ArrayAdapter is a concrete class. However, ListAdapter is not a class, it is an interface implemented by BaseAdapter. In short, you could either use the ready-made ArrayAdapter, or write your own adapter that extends BaseAdapter.

[Spinner]

Note that ListAdapter is an interface, whereas the other two are classes that implement ListAdapter (one indirectly).

[user1708134]

can you give an instance when will i use base and array adapter?

[Mina Dahesh]

i've question, i want to use DataBase in my proje that fills with users data, and after filling ,all the items will be shown in ListView. but i don't know which of Adapter is usfull for me?ArrayAdapter or BaseAdapter? please help me. thanks

[Ashwin N Bhanushali]

It should be CursorAdapter please see developer.android.com/reference/android/widget/…