Intent (Android)

An Intent in the <a href="/facts/Android_(operating_system)/nNyHb0xz">Android operating system</a> is a <a href="/facts/Software/RP79lVSW">software</a> mechanism that allows <a href="/facts/End-user_(computer_science)/7IM9qu7N">users</a> to coordinate the functions of different activities to achieve a task. An Intent is a messaging object which provides a facility for performing <a href="/facts/Late_binding/qQzKrY6j">late runtime binding</a> between the code in different applications in the Android <a href="/facts/Development_environment_(software_development_process)/gG7DJoE6">development environment</a>. Its most significant use is in the launching of activities, where it can be thought of as the glue between activities: Intents provide an inter-application messaging system that encourages collaboration and <a href="/facts/Component_reuse/NFlWUV95">component reuse</a>.
An Intent is basically a <a href="/facts/Passive_data_structure/10yefr1d">passive data structure</a> holding an <a href="/facts/Abstract_data_type/BaVGSHNP">abstract description</a> of an action to be performed. Android Tablet Application Development likens an Intent to flicking a switch: "Your intent is to turn on the light, and to do so, you perform the action of flipping the switch to the On position."

Intent (Android) open-in-new

Intent (Android)