How to Use FilePicker Super Lite Android Library

Mar 5, 2024 | Programming

The FilePicker Super Lite Android Library is an intuitive and efficient solution for selecting files and directories from device storage. Despite the project no longer being maintained, this guide will walk you through how to implement its key features seamlessly in your application.

Getting Started with FilePicker

To get started with the FilePicker Super Lite library, you need to set it up in your project. Follow these simple steps:

Installation

  • Add the following dependency to your app’s build.gradle file:
  • compile 'com.github.angads25:filepicker:1.1.1'

Using the File Picker Dialog

Once installed, you can create a file picker dialog in just a few steps. Think of the FilePickerDialog as a friendly shop assistant who helps users locate and select items from a vast store of files.

Steps to Implement FilePickerDialog

  1. Create an instance of DialogProperties:
  2. DialogProperties properties = new DialogProperties();
  3. Configure the properties using the DialogConfig class:
  4. 
    properties.selection_mode = DialogConfigs.SINGLE_MODE;
    properties.selection_type = DialogConfigs.FILE_SELECT;
    properties.root = new File(DialogConfigs.DEFAULT_DIR);
    properties.error_dir = new File(DialogConfigs.DEFAULT_DIR);
    properties.offset = new File(DialogConfigs.DEFAULT_DIR);
    properties.extensions = null;
  5. Create and customize your FilePickerDialog:
  6. 
    FilePickerDialog dialog = new FilePickerDialog(MainActivity.this, properties);
    dialog.setTitle("Select a File");
  7. Set the selection listener:
  8. 
    dialog.setDialogSelectionListener(new DialogSelectionListener() {
        @Override
        public void onSelectedFilePaths(String[] files) {
            // Handle the file paths here
        }
    });
  9. Finally, show the dialog:
  10. dialog.show();

Important Permissions

If your app targets Android Marshmallow (API level 23) or above, you will need to handle runtime permissions. Use the following method to manage permissions:


@Override
public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, @NonNull String permissions[], @NonNull int[] grantResults) {
    switch (requestCode) {
        case FilePickerDialog.EXTERNAL_READ_PERMISSION_GRANT:
            if (grantResults.length > 0 && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
                // Show dialog if read permission granted
                if (dialog != null) dialog.show();
            } else {
                // Notify user about the lack of permission
                Toast.makeText(MainActivity.this, "Permission is Required for getting list of files", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            }
    }
}

FilePicker Preference

If you want to incorporate directory selection into your settings, you can use FilePickerPreference. This works like a customizable drawer in a home that allows users to select preferred storage areas.

Steps to Implement FilePickerPreference

  1. Declare the FilePickerPreference in your settings XML:
  2. 
    
  3. Implement Preference.OnPreferenceChangeListener:
  4. 
    @Override
    public boolean onPreferenceChange(Preference preference, Object o) {
        if (preference.getKey().equals("your_preference_key")) {
            String value = (String) o;
            String arr[] = value.split(":");
            // Handle the selected directories here
            return true;
        }
        return false;
    }

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while implementing the FilePicker Super Lite library, here are a few common problems and their solutions:

  • No files appearing in the dialog: Ensure you have the right permissions set and that there are indeed files in the selected directory.
  • Runtime permission not requested: Double-check that you’ve implemented the onRequestPermissionsResult method correctly.
  • Dialog not showing: Make sure the dialog instance is not null before calling show().

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Conclusion

The FilePicker Super Lite Android Library is a great tool for making file and directory selection simple for your users. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll have a robust file selection feature implemented in no time.

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

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