What is the Android ViewModel and how does it work?

What is the Android ViewModel and how does it work?

The Android ViewModel is a component that is designed to store and manage UI-related data in a lifecycle-conscious way. It allows data to survive configuration changes such as screen rotations.

Why should I use ViewModel instead of just using regular classes?

Using ViewModel helps to separate your UI data from the UI controller, making your code more modular and easier to test. It also ensures that data survives configuration changes.

Can you give me an example of how to implement a ViewModel?

Sure! You can create a ViewModel by extending the ViewModel class and then use it in your Activity or Fragment. For example:

class MyViewModel : ViewModel() {
    val data: MutableLiveData<String> = MutableLiveData()
}

How does ViewModel interact with LiveData?

ViewModel often works with LiveData to hold and manage UI-related data. LiveData is lifecycle-aware, meaning it only updates active observers, which helps prevent memory leaks.