The death of the refresh button

Almost every app mobile need to synchronise data with a server, on Android too. But their is many ways to do it : AlertManagers & Services, SyncAdapter... and every ones has its pros & cons. Recently Google added a new way to do asynchronous work on Android in the L preview release : JobScheduler.
We are going to see how each techniques work and we've done it in the Capitaine Train Android application for a feedback with a complex data model.

Video: https://skillsmatter.com/skillscasts/5991-the-death-of-the-refresh-button or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvshiz9pbUc

1. The Death of the Refresh Button
2. @Mathieu_Calba +MathieuCalba
5. Once upon a time…
6. Julien was searching for an app to manage his bank account
7. But he couldn’t find the one that meets his needs
8. They all seemed broken
9. They always needed an internet connection
10. Even just to check his leisure budget
11. Julien was very ANGRY
12. He needed a simple debit/credit managing app with a good backup
13. So he decided to create his own app, focused on user experience and simplicity
14. What does his app need?
15. A great app backend What does his app need?
16. Mobile application UI App backend Server API
17. With a great app backend, you have more flexibility at the UI level
18. What is syncing?
19. What is syncing? Executing a BACKGROUND JOB to update local data WHEN APPROPRIATE
20. BACKGROUND JOB • Non-user facing operation • Upload and/or download • Requires network connectivity • Always leave the data in good state
21. What is syncing? Executing a BACKGROUND JOB to update local data WHEN APPROPRIATE
22. • Only when needed, and when relevant (network availability, battery level, etc) • Restore after reboot • Exponential back-off • Be careful with battery life • etc. WHEN APPROPRIATE aka scheduling & triggering
23. • Best solution: push message • Not always available, fallback: periodic polling WHEN APPROPRIATE aka scheduling & triggering
24. What is syncing? Executing a BACKGROUND JOB to update local data WHEN APPROPRIATE
25. How?
26. How? The Android way
27. How? The Android ways
28. AsyncTask & AlarmManager Create your AsyncTask: ! public final class PeriodicTaskRunnable extends AsyncTask<Void, Void, Void> {
 @Override
 protected Void doInBackground(Void... voids) {
 // TODO the task !
 return null;
 }
 }
 Start the periodic run with the AlarmManager: 
 private void triggerPeriodicAsyncTask() {
 final Intent intent = new Intent(this, PeriodicTaskReceiver.class);
 
 final PendingIntent receiverPendingIntent = PendingIntent.
 getBroadcast(this, 140916, intent, PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT);
 
 final AlarmManager alarmManager = (AlarmManager) getSystemService(ALARM_SERVICE);
 alarmManager.setInexactRepeating(AlarmManager.ELAPSED_REALTIME, //
 SystemClock.elapsedRealtime() + AlarmManager.INTERVAL_HOUR, //
 AlarmManager.INTERVAL_HOUR, //
 receiverPendingIntent);
 }
29. Create your BroadcastReceiver: ! public class PeriodicTaskReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {
 
 public static final String ACTION_SYNC = “com.mathieucalba.tasks.ACTION_SYNC";
 
 @Override
 public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
 if (ACTION_SYNC.equals(intent.getAction())) {
 new PeriodicTaskRunnable().execute();
 }
 }
 }
 And declare it in the Manifest: ! <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
 package="com.mathieucalba.testjobscheduler">
 <application>
 
 <receiver
 android:name=".tasks.PeriodicTaskReceiver"
 android:exported="false">
 <intent-filter>
 <action android:name="com.mathieucalba.tasks.ACTION_SYNC" />
 </intent-filter>
 </receiver>
 
 </application>
 </manifest> AsyncTask & AlarmManager
30. • AsyncTask & Receiver can be replaced by an IntentService for simplicity • Restoring periodic sync after a reboot? • Handling connectivity availability? • Indicate sync state to others • etc. AsyncTask & AlarmManager
31. SyncAdapter
32. Definition One method to do the UPLOAD & DOWNLOAD SYNC (SyncAdapter) for one DATA PROVIDER (ContentProvider) associated with a USER ACCOUNT (AccountAuthenticator) which can be TRIGGERED MANUALLY or by the SYSTEM.
33. public final class AccountAuthenticator extends AbstractAccountAuthenticator {
 
 public static final String ACCOUNT_TYPE = "com.mathieucalba.testjobscheduler";
 public static final String ACCOUNT_NAME_SYNC = "com.mathieucalba.testjobscheduler";
 
 public AccountAuthenticator(Context context) {
 super(context);
 }
 
 @Override
 public Bundle addAccount(AccountAuthenticatorResponse response, String accountType, String authTokenType, String[] requiredFeatures, Bundle options) throws NetworkErrorException {
 return null;
 }
 
 @Override
 public Bundle confirmCredentials(AccountAuthenticatorResponse response, Account account, Bundle options) throws NetworkErrorException {
 return null;
 }
 
 @Override
 public Bundle editProperties(AccountAuthenticatorResponse response, String accountType) {
 throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
 } //… } 1- Account
34. public final class AccountAuthenticator extends AbstractAccountAuthenticator {
 //…
 @Override
 public Bundle getAuthToken(AccountAuthenticatorResponse response, Account account, String authTokenType, Bundle options) throws NetworkErrorException {
 throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
 }
 
 @Override
 public String getAuthTokenLabel(String authTokenType) {
 throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
 }
 
 @Override
 public Bundle hasFeatures(AccountAuthenticatorResponse response, Account account, String[] features) throws NetworkErrorException {
 throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
 }
 
 @Override
 public Bundle updateCredentials(AccountAuthenticatorResponse response, Account account, String authTokenType, Bundle options) throws NetworkErrorException {
 throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
 }
 } 1- Account
35. Bind the AccountAuthenticator to the framework: ! public final class AccountAuthenticatorService extends Service {
 
 private static final Object LOCK = new Object();
 
 private static AccountAuthenticator sAuthenticator;
 
 @Override
 public void onCreate() {
 super.onCreate();
 synchronized (LOCK) {
 if (sAuthenticator == null) {
 sAuthenticator = new AccountAuthenticator(getApplicationContext());
 }
 }
 }
 
 @Override
 public IBinder onBind(Intent intent) {
 synchronized (LOCK) {
 return sAuthenticator.getIBinder();
 }
 }
 } 1- Account
36. Declare your AccountAuthenticatorService into the Manifest: ! <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
 package="com.mathieucalba.testsyncadapter">
 <application>
 <service
 android:exported="true"
 android:name=".accounts.AccountAuthenticatorService">
 <intent-filter>
 <action android:name="android.accounts.AccountAuthenticator" />
 </intent-filter>
 
 <meta-data
 android:name="android.accounts.AccountAuthenticator"
 android:resource="@xml/account_authenticator" />
 </service> 
 </application>
 </manifest> ! Configure your AccountAuthenticator: ! <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <account-authenticator xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
 android:accountType="@string/config_accountType"
 android:icon="@drawable/ic_launcher"
 android:label="@string/app_name"
 android:smallIcon="@drawable/ic_launcher" /> 1- Account
37. Add the Account required by the framework: ! private void initAccountAuthenticator() {
 final AccountManager accountManager = AccountManager.get(this);
 final Account[] accounts = accountManager.getAccountsByType(AccountAuthenticator.ACCOUNT_TYPE);
 for (Account account : accounts) {
 if (AccountAuthenticator.ACCOUNT_NAME_SYNC.equals(account.name)) {
 return;
 }
 }
 
 accountManager.addAccountExplicitly(new Account(AccountAuthenticator.ACCOUNT_NAME_SYNC,
 AccountAuthenticator.ACCOUNT_TYPE), null, null);
 } 1- Account For more info on implementing an AccountAuthenticator: http:// udinic.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/write-your-own-android-authenticator/
38. Create a stub ContentProvider: ! public class StubProvider extends ContentProvider {
 
 @Override
 public boolean onCreate() { return true; }
 
 @Override
 public String getType(Uri uri) { return new String(); }
 
 @Override
 public Cursor query(Uri uri, String[] strings, String s, String[] strings2, String s2) { return null; }
 
 @Override
 public Uri insert(Uri uri, ContentValues contentValues) { return null; }
 
 @Override
 public int update(Uri uri, ContentValues contentValues, String s, String[] strings) { return 0; }
 
 @Override
 public int delete(Uri uri, String s, String[] strings) { return 0; }
 
 } 2- ContentProvider
39. Declare your ContentProvider in the Manifest: ! <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
 package="com.mathieucalba.testsyncadapter">
 
 <application>
 
 <provider
 android:authorities="com.mathieucalba.testsyncadapter.provider.stub"
 android:exported="false"
 android:name=".provider.StubProvider"
 android:syncable="true" />
 
 </application>
 
 </manifest> 2- ContentProvider For more details about ContentProviders, see my slides at http://bit.ly/ContentProvider
40. Implement the synchronization mechanism: ! public class SyncAdapter extends AbstractThreadedSyncAdapter {
 
 public SyncAdapter(Context context) {
 super(context, false, false); // Context, auto initialize, parallel sync
 }
 
 @Override
 public void onPerformSync(Account account, Bundle extras, String authority, ContentProviderClient provider, SyncResult syncResult) {
 // TODO the sync
 }
 
 } 3- SyncAdapter
41. Bind the SyncAdapter to the framework: ! public class SyncAdapterService extends Service {
 
 private static final Object LOCK = new Object();
 
 private static SyncAdapter sSyncAdapter = null;
 
 @Override
 public void onCreate() {
 super.onCreate();
 synchronized (LOCK) {
 if (sSyncAdapter == null) {
 sSyncAdapter = new SyncAdapter(getApplicationContext());
 }
 }
 }
 
 @Override
 public IBinder onBind(Intent intent) {
 synchronized (LOCK) {
 return sSyncAdapter.getSyncAdapterBinder();
 }
 }
 } 3- SyncAdapter
42. Declare your SyncAdapterService into the Manifest: ! <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
 package="com.mathieucalba.testsyncadapter">
 
 <application>
 
 <service
 android:exported="true"
 android:name=".sync.SyncAdapterService">
 <intent-filter>
 <action android:name="android.content.SyncAdapter" />
 </intent-filter>
 
 <meta-data
 android:name="android.content.SyncAdapter"
 android:resource="@xml/sync_adapter" />
 </service>
 
 </application>
 
 </manifest> 3- SyncAdapter
43. Configure your SyncAdapter: ! <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <sync-adapter xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
 android:accountType="@string/config_accountType"
 android:allowParallelSyncs="false"
 android:contentAuthority="com.mathieucalba.testsyncadapter.provider.stub"
 android:isAlwaysSyncable="true"
 android:supportsUploading="true"
 android:userVisible="false" /> 3- SyncAdapter
44. How to trigger a one time sync: ! private static void triggerSyncAdapter(Account account, boolean now) {
 final Bundle extras = new Bundle();
 
 if (now) {
 // ignore backoff && settings extras.putBoolean(ContentResolver.SYNC_EXTRAS_MANUAL, true); // put the request at the front of the queue
 extras.putBoolean(ContentResolver.SYNC_EXTRAS_EXPEDITED, true);
 }
 
 ContentResolver.requestSync(account, StubProvider.AUTHORITY, extras);
 } 4- Triggering
45. How to configure an account for periodic sync, auto sync when network is up: ! public static void setupSync(Account account) {
 if (account == null) {
 return;
 }
 
 // Inform the system that this account supports sync
 ContentResolver.setIsSyncable(account, StubProvider.AUTHORITY, 1);
 // Inform the system that this account is eligible for auto sync when the network is up
 ContentResolver.setSyncAutomatically(account, StubProvider.AUTHORITY, true);
 // Recommend a schedule for automatic synchronisation. The system may modify this based
 // on other scheduled syncs and network utilisation.
 ContentResolver.addPeriodicSync(account, // StubProvider.AUTHORITY, // new Bundle(), // TimeUnit.HOURS.toSeconds(1));
 } 4- Triggering ! Periodic & automatic sync doesn’t works if user has deactivated it
46. One neat functionality: run the SyncAdapter when ContentProvider’s data changes 5- ContentProvider Triggering
47. Mark the item to be deleted instead of deleting it: ! @Override
 public int delete(Uri uri, String s, String[] strings) {
 final int count;
 if (StubContract.hasNeedSyncToNetworkParameter(uri)) {
 final int match = URI_MATCHER.match(uri);
 switch (match) {
 case OPTION_ID:
 final ContentValues values = new ContentValues();
 values.put(SyncColumns.SYNC_DELETED, SyncColumns.SYNC_DELETED_MARKED);
 count = buildSimpleSelection(uri).
 where(selection, selectionArgs).
 update(getDatabaseHelper().getWritableDatabase(), values);
 break;
 
 default:
 throw new SyncToNetworkUnknownUriException(uri);
 }
 
 } else {
 count = buildSimpleSelection(uri).
 where(selection, selectionArgs).
 delete(getDatabaseHelper().getWritableDatabase());
 }
 
 if (count > 0) {
 notifyChange(uri);
 }
 return count;
 } 5- ContentProvider Triggering
48. Notify the change to the SyncAdapter: ! private void notifyChange(Uri uri) {
 getContext().getContentResolver(). notifyChange(uri, null, isCallerUriUploadReady(uri) && !isCallerSyncAdapter(uri));
 }
 
 public boolean isCallerSyncAdapter(Uri uri) {
 return StubContract.hasCallerIsSyncAdapterParameter(uri);
 }
 
 private boolean isCallerUriUploadReady(Uri uri) {
 if (StubContract.hasNeedSyncToNetworkParameter(uri)) {
 final int match = URI_MATCHER.match(uri);
 switch (match) {
 case OPTION_ID:
 return true;
 
 default:
 throw new SyncToNetworkUnknownUriException(uri);
 }
 }
 return false;
 } 5- ContentProvider Triggering
49. How we detect an URI is from the SyncAdapter, and when a SyncAdapter trigger is needed: ! interface SyncExtras {
 String IS_CALLER_SYNC_ADAPTER = "is_caller_sync_adapter";
 
 String NEED_SYNC_TO_NETWORK = "need_sync_to_network";
 }
 
 public static Uri addCallerIsSyncAdapterParameter(Uri uri) {
 return uri.buildUpon().appendQueryParameter(SyncExtras.IS_CALLER_SYNC_ADAPTER, Boolean.toString(true)).build();
 }
 
 public static boolean hasCallerIsSyncAdapterParameter(Uri uri) {
 final String parameter = uri.getQueryParameter(SyncExtras.IS_CALLER_SYNC_ADAPTER);
 return parameter != null && Boolean.parseBoolean(parameter);
 }
 
 public static Uri addNeedSyncToNetworkParameter(Uri uri) {
 return uri.buildUpon().appendQueryParameter(SyncExtras.NEED_SYNC_TO_NETWORK, Boolean.toString(true)).build();
 }
 
 public static boolean hasNeedSyncToNetworkParameter(Uri uri) {
 final String parameter = uri.getQueryParameter(SyncExtras.NEED_SYNC_TO_NETWORK);
 return parameter != null && Boolean.parseBoolean(parameter);
 } 5- ContentProvider Triggering
50. Be careful, your corresponding query should not return the deleted data if it’s not the SyncAdapter querying. 5- ContentProvider Triggering
51. • Google way • Easily triggered by the system when appropriate (network availability, change in associated ContentProvider) • Needs an AccountAuthenticator (at least a stub) • Needs a ContentProvider (at least a stub) SyncAdapter
52. JobScheduler
53. Definition SCHEDULE the execution of a JOB (via a Service) with VARIOUS PARAMETERS about WHEN the execution SHOULD HAPPEN (during a window of time, periodically, with network needed, etc.)
54. The JobService is where we are awaken: ! public class MyJobService extends JobService {
 
 private ExecutorService mExecutor;
 private final Handler mHandler = new Handler(Looper.getMainLooper());
 
 @Override
 public void onCreate() {
 super.onCreate();
 mExecutor = Executors.newSingleThreadExecutor();
 }
 
 @Override
 public void onDestroy() {
 mExecutor.shutdown();
 super.onDestroy();
 }
 
 @Override
 public boolean onStartJob(JobParameters jobParameters) { // We are on the Main thread, so post the Task to a background thread
 mExecutor.execute(new Task(jobParameters));
 return true;
 }
 
 @Override
 public boolean onStopJob(JobParameters jobParameters) {
 // TODO interrupt Task
 return true;
 } } 1- JobService
55. private final class Task implements Runnable { 
 private final JobParameters mJobParameters;
 
 private Task(JobParameters jobParameters) { mJobParameters = jobParameters; }
 
 @Override
 public void run() {
 // TODO the network call
 mHandler.post(new FinishedTask(mJobParameters, true));
 }
 }
 
 private final class FinishedTask implements Runnable { 
 private final JobParameters mJobParameters;
 private final boolean mIsSuccess;
 
 private FinishedTask(JobParameters jobParameters, boolean isSuccess) {
 mJobParameters = jobParameters;
 mIsSuccess = isSuccess;
 }
 
 @Override
 public void run() {
 // Notify that the job has ended
 jobFinished(mJobParameters, mIsSuccess);
 }
 } 1- JobService
56. Declare your MyJobService into the Manifest: ! <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
 package="com.mathieucalba.testjobscheduler">
 
 <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED" />
 
 <application>
 
 <service
 android:name=".tasks.MyJobService"
 android:permission="android.permission.BIND_JOB_SERVICE"
 android:exported="true"/>
 
 </application>
 
 </manifest> 1- JobService
57. Exemple for triggering a one time Job: ! JobInfo.Builder builder = new JobInfo.Builder(JOB_ID_1, new ComponentName(this, MyJobService.class)).
 setBackoffCriteria(TimeUnit.MINUTES.toMillis(1), JobInfo.BackoffPolicy.EXPONENTIAL).
 setMinimumLatency(TimeUnit.SECONDS.toMillis(5)).
 setOverrideDeadline(TimeUnit.HOURS.toMillis(1)).
 setRequiredNetworkCapabilities(JobInfo.NetworkType.ANY);
 ((JobScheduler) getSystemService(Context.JOB_SCHEDULER_SERVICE)).schedule(builder.build());
 ! Exemple for triggering a periodic Job: ! builder = new JobInfo.Builder(JOB_ID_PERIODIC, new ComponentName(this, MyJobService.class)).
 setPeriodic(TimeUnit.HOURS.toMillis(1)).
 setRequiredNetworkCapabilities(JobInfo.NetworkType.UNMETERED).
 setRequiresDeviceIdle(true).
 setRequiresCharging(true);
 
 ((JobScheduler) getSystemService(Context.JOB_SCHEDULER_SERVICE)).schedule(builder.build()); 2- Triggering
58. JobScheduler • Configurable scheduling (idle-mode, network availability, etc) across all the system • Simple, based upon a Service • Persisted state • Android-Lollipop+ only
59. Conclusion
60. • SyncAdapter perfect if account and ContentProvider, great otherwise but can be tricky • JobScheduler very promising, but Android Lollipop+ only, a limited compat library would help spread its use (based upon Service & AlarmManager). Conclusion
61. • We have the tools to create an app the works seamlessly without an internet connection so the user never have to worry about his internet connection Conclusion
62. Questions?
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