How to get the build version number of an Android application?

Getting the build number of your Android application is easy. To do this, users should first launch the app on their Android device or emulator and then navigate to its settings or options menu. Next, they should look for the "About" or "Information" section, as this is where the build number usually lives.

Once found, click on it and it will display the necessary details, including a combination of numbers and/or letters, such as "1.2.3" or "v1.0.0". Since both developers and users require this information to identify different versions and updates, obtaining build version numbers is critical for effective management of Android applications.

Build version

The build number in Android is a unique identifier that distinguishes different versions of an application or operating system. This ID helps track and distinguish updates, ensuring seamless functionality in the Android platform.

Developers rely on build numbers to effectively manage and communicate critical software releases. This numbering system enables users to easily identify and monitor the exact application or Android OS version installed. Additionally, this approach can help developers pinpoint and resolve user-reported issues by quickly identifying which specific version is involved.

method

Let’s discuss ways to quickly find the build number in Android.

• Use PackageManager

• Use BuildConfig

Use package manager

The Android PackageManager class allows you to programmatically easily obtain the build version number of your application. Accessing package information is done using the getPackageManager() method, which allows you to get details not only of your application, but also of other installed applications. Another useful method involves calling getPackageInfo() to retrieve a PackageInfo object by specifying the application's package name.

The application object contains basic information such as version name and code. The version name represents a human-readable string, while the version code represents an integer used to compare versions programmatically. These values ​​can be used for a variety of purposes, including displaying important information and implementing functionality specific to each version of the application.

algorithm

• Get the package manager instance.

• Package information can be retrieved using the getPackageInfo() method. Just pass in the name of the package and any necessary flags as arguments.

• Retrieve version information from the PackageInfo object.

• Use packageInfo.versionName to get the version name.

• Use packageInfo.versionCode to get the version code.

• Use version name and version code according to your needs.

Example

import android.content.pm.PackageInfo;
import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.widget.TextView;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

      // Get the package manager instance
      PackageManager packageManager = getPackageManager();

      try {
         // Get the package information
         PackageInfo packageInfo = packageManager.getPackageInfo(getPackageName(), 0);

         // Retrieve the version information
         String versionName = packageInfo.versionName;
         int versionCode = packageInfo.versionCode;

         // Use the version information
         TextView versionNameTextView = findViewById(R.id.versionNameTextView);
         versionNameTextView.setText("Version Name: " + versionName);

         TextView versionCodeTextView = findViewById(R.id.versionCodeTextView);
         versionCodeTextView.setText("Version Code: " + versionCode);

      } catch (PackageManager.NameNotFoundException e) {
         e.printStackTrace();
      }
   }
}

Output

Version Name: 1.2.3
Version Code: 123

Use build configuration

The BuildConfig class allows programmatic and efficient retrieval of a program's version information in an Android application. This class is automatically generated during the build process and contains several fields used to configure and support the build version of the program, such as version code and version name.

By appropriately accessing the various Build Configuration fields, it is possible to retrieve a human-readable string called a version name that is typically provided to the user and a unique integer value called a version code that is used for programmatic comparisons.

Developers can use these values ​​in their applications for a variety of purposes, including displaying version information and implementing version-specific functionality. The BuildConfig method provides a direct and convenient way to access the build number in Android application code.

algorithm

• Access BuildConfig class.

• Retrieve the version name from BuildConfig.VERSION_NAME.

• Retrieve the version code from BuildConfig.VERSION_CODE.

• Use the version name and version code as needed in your application.

Example

import android.os.Bundle;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.widget.TextView;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

      // Retrieve the version name from BuildConfig
      String versionName = BuildConfig.VERSION_NAME;

      // Retrieve the version code from BuildConfig
      int versionCode = BuildConfig.VERSION_CODE;

      // Use the version information
      TextView versionNameTextView = findViewById(R.id.versionNameTextView);
      versionNameTextView.setText("Version Name: " + versionName);

      TextView versionCodeTextView = findViewById(R.id.versionCodeTextView);
      versionCodeTextView.setText("Version Code: " + versionCode);
   }
}

Output

Version Name: 1.2.3
Version Code: 123

in conclusion

In this case, there are two ways to retrieve the build number of the Android application. The first method involves using the PackageManager class to access package information and retrieve the version name and code, while the second method provides direct access to configuration fields for version-related data through the BuildConfig class. Both methods are efficient and programming-friendly ways to obtain important version information.

By merging these methods, developers can easily display build version numbers and implement version-specific functionality in their Android apps. Additionally, knowing the version of your application allows you to perform other tasks. Developers should choose the appropriate method based on their needs and use version names and version codes accordingly.

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