[android] update listview dynamically with adapter

This tutorial uses a SimpleAdapter which works fine, but I need to update the arrays in the adapter when new data is entered.

Could you please guide me on how to update a ListView using something other than a SimpleAdapter?

Most people recommend using notifyDataSetChanged(), but I found this link pretty useful. In fact using clear and add you can accomplish the same goal using less memory footprint, and more responsibe app.

For example:

notesListAdapter.clear();
notes = new ArrayList<Note>();
notesListAdapter.add(todayNote);
if (birthdayNote != null) notesListAdapter.add(birthdayNote);

/* no need to refresh, let the adaptor do its job */

I created a method just for that. I use it any time I need to manually update a ListView. Hopefully this gives you an idea of how to implement your own

public static void UpdateListView(List<SomeObject> SomeObjects, ListView ListVw)
{    
    if(ListVw != null)
    {
        final YourAdapter adapter = (YourAdapter) ListVw.getAdapter();

        //You'll have to create this method in your adapter class. It's a simple setter.
        adapter.SetList(SomeObjects);

        adapter.notifyDataSetChanged();
    }
}

I'm using an adapter that inherites from BaseAdapter. Should work for any other type of adapter.

add and remove methods are easier to use. They update the data in the list and call notifyDataSetChanged in background.

Sample code:

adapter.add("your object");
adapter.remove("your object");

SimpleListAdapter's are primarily used for static data! If you want to handle dynamic data, you're better off working with an ArrayAdapter, ListAdapter or with a CursorAdapter if your data is coming in from the database.

Here's a useful tutorial in understanding binding data in a ListAdapter

As referenced in this SO question

If you create your own adapter, there is one notable abstract function:

public void registerDataSetObserver(DataSetObserver observer) {
    ...
}

You can use the given observers to notify the system to update:

private ArrayList<DataSetObserver> observers = new ArrayList<DataSetObserver>();

public void registerDataSetObserver(DataSetObserver observer) {
    observers.add(observer);
}
public void notifyDataSetChanged(){
    for (DataSetObserver observer: observers) {
        observer.onChanged();
    }
}

Though aren't you glad there are things like the SimpleAdapter and ArrayAdapter and you don't have to do all that?