How can I create Views in xml which I can use for any layout?

Question

When creating an ImageView for example, I know I can create it within a Layout :

Example a LinearLayout :

<LinearLayout...>
    <ImageView
    android:id="@id/hello_world_id"/>
</LinearLayout>

But can I define an View outside a layout, and then add it to any other layout?

I want to have a RelativeLayout which adds/removes views programmatically and dynamically, so that the RelativeLayout starts off with no views inside it, then I add some, remove some etc. Would there be any way to do this? Or is it better just to have these views already inside some other Layout , and then I add the Layout (whatever it is--containing my view(s)) to my RelativeLayout ?

Answer 1

What you are searching for is LayoutInflator

1. Create a xml file - buttons.xml

    <LinearLayout...> <ImageView android:id="@id/hello_world_id"/> 

2. In your activity access it by

 final LayoutInflater inflater = (LayoutInflater)getSystemService(Context.LAYOUT_INFLATER_SERVICE); View itemView = inflater.inflate(R.layout.buttons, null);// this is a layout in your master activity lLayout = (LinearLayout)findViewById(R.id.layout1); lLayout.addView(itemView); 

Hope this helps.