I have a question, is there a great advantage of using string resources as opposed to just using explicit strings? For example say you have a button whose xml is as follows:



as opposed to a button whose xml is as follows:



The difference is the "android:text" line. What is the advantage of using one over the other. i.e android:text="Update" ap opposed to using android:text="@string/udpate_label" (where we would have a String resource with the label 'update_label' in the Strings.xml file)

Thanks,
--D

The main reason for using String resources is i18n (internationalisation). When you use string literals, you have to recompile your app for each language you want to support, leading to dozen of different apk's for the same program, 1 for each language. When you use string resources, you can make different value directories for different languages, so your app will support dozens of languages in 1 apk. Another plus is that for translation, you only have to send the xml, and the translator doesn't have to have knowledge of java.

Thanks a lot... that makes a lot of sense...I'll keep this in mind and start using my Stirngs.xml file!!

is always raccomanded to separate content and presentation.. not only for multilanguage support