Xamarin Studio (Android) Error Inflating Class Unless Cleaned

Question

The Problem:

After modifying any layout file in my Android project in Xamarin Studio, my mainlauncher (SplashActivity) throws the following exception. The exception continues to throw until I clean my project.

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The Exception:

Binary XML file line #17: Error inflating class

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Environment:

I am using the following tools:

Xamarin Studio: Version 5.2.1 (build 1)
Xamarin.Android: Version 4.1.0

With the following relevant settings:

Minimum Android Version: Android 4.3 (API level 16)

Computer:

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (x64)

Testing Device:

Samsung Galaxy S4 running Android 4.3

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Relevant Code:

SplashLayout.axml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:orientation="vertical"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="fill_parent">
    <TextView
        android:text="Loading..."
        android:textAppearance="?android:attr/textAppearanceLarge"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:id="@+id/SPLASH_messageText" />
</LinearLayout>

SplashActivity (Trimmed to just the OnCreate):

protected override void OnCreate (Bundle bundle)
{
    base.OnCreate (bundle);
    SetContentView (Resource.Layout.SplashLayout);   // <-- this is where the exception is thrown
    MessageTextView = FindViewById<TextView> (Resource.Id.SPLASH_messageText);      // Get a reference to our message text view to update the user

    ThreadPool.QueueUserWorkItem (o => {
        InitialChecking();               // Check to make sure Google Play services are installed
    });
} // end OnCreate

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My Research:

The following is a list of questions that appear related, but are not relevant to my current situation.

• Xamarin - Binary XML file line #1: Error inflating class - The error was caused by using a color state-list as a background. I don't even define a background.
• Binary XML file line #17: Error inflating class - This error was due to using the android:attr/textAppearanceListItemSmall attribute while targeting an API level that did not support it (>14). My minimum Android Version is API level 16.
• InflateException: Binary XML file line #1: Error inflating class - The problem was caused by a resource decoding a large bitmap that caused the VM to run out of memory. I am not loading any images, or drawables.
• Binary XML file line #9: Error inflating class fragment - I am not using fragments
• android.view.InflateException: Binary XML file line #6: Error inflating class - *OP was using depreciated AbsoluteLayout, I am using a LinearLayout
• EditText tag causes Error inflating class - Error was caused by android:scrollY="10dp", which is not in my layout.

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Additional Information:

• When I clean the solution before debugging, the error is resolved until I modify any layout file.
• Once this exception is thrown, it will continue to throw until I clean the solution.
• The XML for the activity only has a text view, and it does not call to any drawable resources. Additionally, SplashLayout.axml only contains 12 lines of code.

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The Question:

• What could be causing this error, and could it happen in production?

Answer 1

Could you please try adding this line to your axml files: xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"

It might sound unrelated but I had inflation problem once and it is resolved by doing so.