how to create Socket connection in Android?

Question

I have an application in which I need to create a socket connection. My requirement is: once my socket connection is established it needs to be alive until I personally close it. And every 3 minutes I have to send data packets to the other end. Can anyone provide me some code samples that will help me to do this?

Answer 1

Socket connections in Android are the same as in Java: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/socket-140484.html

Things you need to be aware of:

1. If phone goes to sleep your app will no longer execute, so socket will eventually timeout. You can prevent this with wake lock. This will eat devices battery tremendously - I know I wouldn't use that app.
2. If you do this constantly, even when your app is not active, then you need to use Service.
3. Activities and Services can be killed off by OS at any time, especially if they are part of an inactive app.

Take a look at AlarmManager, if you need scheduled execution of your code.

Do you need to run your code and receive data even if user does not use the app any more (i.e. app is inactive)?