Is it better to use AsyncTask or Service to upload a file in background?

Question

I have a requirement where a user is able to upload a video to Amazon S3. I have achieved this using the java high-level api in amazon sdk. During the upload process if the user clicks the home button the upload must continue in the background.

What would be a better approach :?

*1 Using AsyncTask: I have tried using AsyncTask and it works fine. But if the uploading process continues for long interval at the background, the OS kills the app to free memory. Is there any way that i can handle this situation, and let my app complete the upload process.

*2 Using Service: Someone suggested me to use a Service + ui notification. I feel like using AsyncTask, because it works fine for me. Is there any advantage of using a Service over AsyncTask.

A Service. Definitely. If you manage your AsyncTask inside an Activity, it may get killed when the activity gets in background — sdabet, Dec 04 '12 at 15:18
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6957775/android-asynctask-vs-service — stinepike, Dec 04 '12 at 15:28
you said it. "the OS kills the app to free memory.". That's a serious disadvantage. — njzk2, Dec 04 '12 at 17:06
@fiddler Thanks for your suggestion. So i think i shall use IntentService instead of AsyncTask. — Rojil Thomas, Dec 05 '12 at 05:54

score 10 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 04 '12 at 15:22

10

Most of the time an AsyncTask is coupled to your UI, the Activity that started it etc. Those will stay in memory until the task is finished.

This upload scenario of yours begs for implementation through an IntentService. This will decouple the uploading from a specific activity and make your App a good Android citizen in regard to the Android life cycle.

You can now create a Notification that is periodically updated from the Service that shows the status of the upload and lets the user cancel the upload from his status bar.

answered Dec 04 '12 at 15:22

Janusz

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Thank you for your answer. I shall better use IntentService. – Rojil Thomas Dec 05 '12 at 05:58
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Good Android citizen.. Key words.. – Ewoks Jun 23 '15 at 09:03

Is it better to use AsyncTask or Service to upload a file in background?

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