difference between android:collapseColumns and android:shrinkColumns of tableLayout

Question

I am new in android development. I was reading TableLayout, Which have three major attributes

android:stretchColumns, android:collapseColumns & android:shrinkColumns.

After Some Research I got what exaclty meant by android:strechColumns but i am confused between collapseColumns and shrinkColumns. The official docs Saying.

android:shrinkColumns

The zero-based index of the columns to shrink. The column indices must be separated by a comma: 1, 2, 5. Illegal and duplicate indices are ignored. You can shrink all columns by using the value "*" instead. Note that a column can be marked stretchable and shrinkable at the same time.

android:collapseColumns

The zero-based index of the columns to collapse. The column indices must be separated by a comma: 1, 2, 5. Illegal and duplicate indices are ignored.

What is exactly mean by shrink and collapse .Could anyone tell me what is difference between them?

Answer 1

• android:stretchColumns

  The zero-based index of the columns to stretch. The column indices must be separated by a comma: 1, 2, 5. Illegal and duplicate indices are ignored. You can stretch all columns by using the value "*" instead. Note that a column can be marked stretchable and shrinkable at the same time.

• android:shrinkColumns

  The zero-based index of the columns to shrink. The column indices must be separated by a comma: 1, 2, 5. Illegal and duplicate indices are ignored. You can shrink all columns by using the value "*" instead. Note that a column can be marked stretchable and shrinkable at the same time.

• android:collapseColumns

  The zero-based index of the columns to collapse. The column indices must be separated by a comma: 1, 2, 5. Illegal and duplicate indices are ignored.

  <TableLayout  
  xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" 
  android:layout_width="match_parent"
  android:layout_height="wrap_content"
  android:stretchColumns="*"
  android:background="@color/grey">
  <TableRow>
      <TextView
          android:layout_width="wrap_content"
          android:layout_height="wrap_content"
          android:layout_column="0"
          android:background="@color/red"
          android:textColor="@android:color/white"
          android:textSize="30dp"
          android:text="0" />
  
      <TextView
          android:layout_width="wrap_content"
          android:layout_height="wrap_content"
          android:layout_column="1"
          android:textColor="@android:color/white"
          android:textSize="30dp"
          android:background="@color/green"
          android:text="1" />
  
      <TextView
          android:layout_width="wrap_content"
          android:layout_height="wrap_content"
          android:layout_column="2"
          android:textColor="@android:color/white"
          android:textSize="30dp"
          android:background="@color/blue"
          android:text="2" />
  </TableRow>
  
  
  <TableRow>
      <TextView
          android:layout_width="wrap_content"
          android:layout_height="wrap_content"
          android:layout_column="0"
          android:background="@color/red"
          android:textColor="@android:color/white"
          android:textSize="30dp"
          android:text="0" />
  
      <TextView
          android:layout_width="wrap_content"
          android:layout_height="wrap_content"
          android:layout_column="1"
          android:textColor="@android:color/white"
          android:textSize="30dp"
          android:background="@color/green"
          android:text="1" />
  
      <TextView
          android:layout_width="wrap_content"
          android:layout_height="wrap_content"
          android:layout_column="2"
          android:textColor="@android:color/white"
          android:textSize="30dp"
          android:background="@color/blue"
          android:text="2" />
    </TableRow>   
   </TableLayout>
  

Explanations:

android:stretchColumns="*"

Means it stretch all columns equally according table layout width

android:shrinkColumns="*"

Means it shrink all columns

android:shrinkColumns="0,2"

android:stretchColumns="1"

Means column 0 and 2 are wrap contain and column 1 stretch into available width

android:stretchColumns="0,1,2"

android:shrinkColumns="1"

Means if column already stretch then shrink not apply

android:shrinkColumns="*"

android:collapseColumns="1"

android:collapseColumns means it hide given column

android:stretchColumns="*"

TextView :- android:layout_column="2"

Meanning if tablerow first column layout parameter not start with 0 then empty view added into row

android:stretchColumns="*"

android:collapseColumns="1"

TextView :- android:layout_column="2"

Means if tablerow first column layout parameter not start with 0 then empty view added into row but if you collapse column then added empty view not hide of that column index only hide added view by explicit view