Service and Threads

[Pengwin]

I need to create an app that polls a server every 10 minutes or so and downloads, potentially, a large number of images. I also need this to execute whilst the app is interfacing with the user.

My question is, would a Service module allow the user to interact with the app whilst it is processing? (I think the answer is no, because the service module uses the same thread as the activity that called it)
Or would I be better calling a service module from a thread, or a thread from within a service module?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Erel]

You can easily download images with HttpUtils. All the Http communication is done in the background with a pool of threads.

 

[Pengwin]

These images are being sent over a custom network protocol, not http.

 

[Erel]

In that case you should use Network library together with AsyncStreams. AsyncStreams handles streams in the background.

 

[Pengwin]

Thanks...that's what I'm looking for.

Looking forward to tomorrow when I will be ordering my full version of B4A :sign0162:

 

[Erel]

Note that you should use a service here as well. This will allow your program to continue downloading the images while your program is in the background (for that reason HttpUtils includes a service).

 

[Pengwin]

Thanks Erel, you have answered my question exactly.

It's great to find a developer who is willing to take the time to answer questions on the forums.