Use a string to access an Array

Question

I am trying to get values from a string array defined in strings.xml by using a string variable.

For instance, I have two string arrays in strings.xml called "a_test_arrays" and "b_test_arrays"

In my code, I based on a random selection a string could be saved as either "a_test" or "b_test"

String test;
//Randomly determine value of test. test = "a_test" or test = "b_test"

String[] test_array;
//get the selected array and store it's contents in test_array
//test_array = test + "_arrays";

I've been trying to use resource identifiers, but I'm completely stumped.

Geobits · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-03 16:46:59Z

3

You can get the id of an array by name using getIdentifier():

String test = "a_test";
Resources res = getResources();
int resId = res.getIdentifier(test + "_arrays", "array", "my.package.name");
String[] test_array = res.getStringArray(resId);

Note you can use this for any type of resource, whether it's drawable, string, etc. Just make sure you change the second parameter from "array" to the appropriate type.

edited Oct 3, 2013 at 16:46

answered Oct 3, 2013 at 16:39

Geobits

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1 Comment

cerealspiller Over a year ago

Doh! I had "string" instead of "array". simple mistakes = disastrous consequences. Thanks!

Umer Farooq · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-03 16:28:20Z

0

This should get the job done:

String[] test_array = getResources().getStringArray(R.array.a_test);

Hope this helps

answered Oct 3, 2013 at 16:28

Umer Farooq

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