Android Data Management
SharedPreferences, DataStore, File I/O, Internal/External Storage, Scoped Storage
1What is SharedPreferences in Android?
What is SharedPreferences in Android?
Answer
SharedPreferences is a simple key-value storage system for saving primitive data (int, boolean, float, long, String, Set<String>). Data persists between app sessions and reboots. It's ideal for user preferences, settings, small data. Simple API: getSharedPreferences(), edit(), putString(), apply()/commit().
2How to save a value in SharedPreferences?
How to save a value in SharedPreferences?
Answer
Get instance: val prefs = context.getSharedPreferences('name', Context.MODE_PRIVATE). Edit: val editor = prefs.edit(); editor.putString('key', 'value'); editor.apply() (async) or editor.commit() (sync). Can also chain: prefs.edit().putString('key', 'value').apply().
3What's the difference between apply() and commit()?
What's the difference between apply() and commit()?
Answer
apply() is asynchronous (writes in background, doesn't block UI thread), returns nothing, recommended in most cases. commit() is synchronous (blocks until written), returns boolean (true if success), useful if you need to verify success immediately. apply() is more performant for UI.
How to read a value from SharedPreferences?
What is Jetpack DataStore?
+26 interview questions
Other Android interview topics
Android Fundamentals
Android UI and Resources
Android Lifecycle
Android Navigation
Android Networking
Android Testing
Android Gradle
Kotlin Language Essentials for Android
Room Database
Background Work
Jetpack Compose
Permissions and Device Features
Firebase for Android
Android MVVM Architecture
Advanced Android Networking
Kotlin Collections and Operators
Kotlin Coroutines and Flow
Android Dependency Injection
Android MVI Architecture
Android Clean Architecture
Android Compose Advanced
Android Performance and Monitoring
Android Security and Privacy
Android CI/CD and Release
Android UX and Form Factors
Android Testing Advanced
Master Android for your next interview
Access all questions, flashcards, technical tests, code review exercises and interview simulators.
Start for free