What is the difference between a Fragment and an Activity in Android development?

Fragment vs Activity in Android Development

In Android development, Fragments and Activities are fundamental components used to create user interfaces.

Activity:

Activities represent individual screens or windows in an Android application. Each Activity acts as a standalone entity with its own lifecycle, UI elements, and logic. Activities are typically used to interact with users and handle user input.

Fragment:

Fragments are modular sections of an Activity that can be combined to create a multi-pane UI or re-usable components. Fragments have their own lifecycle and can be added or removed dynamically within an Activity. Fragments are commonly used to build responsive and flexible user interfaces.

Differences:

• Activities are standalone components, while Fragments are reusable components that can be combined within an Activity.
• Activities have their own lifecycle, whereas Fragments share the lifecycle of the hosting Activity.
• Fragments allow for more modular and flexible UI designs compared to Activities.
• Communication between Fragments is easier than between Activities.

Understanding the differences between Fragments and Activities is crucial for designing efficient and user-friendly Android applications.