Java Android App Development Course, Overlapping Layout - FrameLayout

In Android app development, the user interface (UI) is a crucial element. Since the UI is the first part that users encounter when interacting with the app, it requires an intuitive and appealing design. In this tutorial, we will learn how to overlay views using FrameLayout in Android.

1. Introduction to FrameLayout

FrameLayout is one of the basic layouts in Android, arranging child views in a stacked manner. By default, FrameLayout positions the first child view as the base, with the others overlapping on top. This is useful when wanting to display multiple views on top of each other.

1.1 Features of FrameLayout

Simpler Structure: It is mainly used in simpler structures rather than complex layouts.
Nesting Capability: It can be nested with other layouts.
Alignment: Child views are aligned to the top left by default. The alignment can be adjusted using the Gravity attribute.

2. Example of Using FrameLayout

Now, let’s create a simple example utilizing FrameLayout. In this example, we will stack two image views and add a text view below to implement a simple login screen.

2.1 Creating an XML Layout File

First, create the activity_main.xml file and set up the layout using FrameLayout.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<androidx.constraintlayout.widget.ConstraintLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    tools:context=".MainActivity">

    <FrameLayout
        android:id="@+id/frameLayout"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent">

        <ImageView
            android:id="@+id/imageView1"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="match_parent"
            android:src="@drawable/image1"
            android:scaleType="centerCrop"/>

        <ImageView
            android:id="@+id/imageView2"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="match_parent"
            android:src="@drawable/image2"
            android:scaleType="centerCrop"
            android:layout_gravity="center"/>

    </FrameLayout>

    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/textView"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="Login"
        android:textSize="24sp"
        android:layout_gravity="center"
        android:background="@android:color/transparent"/>

</androidx.constraintlayout.widget.ConstraintLayout>

This XML code uses FrameLayout to stack two image views. Below, we add a TextView to display the login text in the center. The layout_gravity attribute of the image views is used to center the text.

2.2 Creating the MainActivity Class

Now, let’s create the MainActivity.java file to implement the basic logic.

package com.example.myapp;

import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
    }
}

The above code is the basic structure of an Android Activity, where the onCreate method sets the XML layout file. This code ensures that when the Activity runs, the UI we created appears.

3. Use Cases for FrameLayout

Let’s look at various scenarios where FrameLayout can be utilized.

3.1 Displaying an Ad Banner

An ad banner can be overlaid at the top of the app screen. To achieve this, FrameLayout can be used to stack the ad view over the content view.

3.2 Displaying a Loading Spinner

During data loading, FrameLayout can be used to overlay a loading spinner on top of the app content. This visually indicates to the user that loading is in progress while they are using the app.

4. Comparison of FrameLayout with Other Layouts

While FrameLayout can stack views in a simple structure, it has limitations for creating complex layouts. Here is a comparison between FrameLayout and other layouts.

4.1 LinearLayout

LinearLayout arranges child views either vertically or horizontally. While it is simple to use, it has the disadvantage of not being able to stack views.

4.2 RelativeLayout

RelativeLayout allows the arrangement of child views based on their relative positions. It is suitable for complex layouts but can be less efficient in terms of performance.

5. Performance Optimization Considerations

Here are a few considerations to optimize performance when using FrameLayout.

5.1 View Hierarchy

A deeper view hierarchy can negatively impact performance. It is advisable to maintain a flatter hierarchy whenever possible.

5.2 Hiding Unnecessary Views

Views that are not in use can be set to GONE status to reduce memory usage.

6. Conclusion

In this tutorial, we explored how to use FrameLayout in Android to stack views. FrameLayout is useful for representing views in a simple structure and can be utilized in various scenarios like ad banners and loading spinners. When designing a user interface, let’s ensure to use various layouts appropriately to provide optimal UI/UX.

7. Additional Learning Resources

If you would like more resources on Android development, please refer to the following links.

Java Android App Development Course, Overlapping Layout – FrameLayout