What is Constraint Layout?
Constraint helps to reduce the hierarchy of Views and increase the layout performance and flexibility of Views. It helps to design based on positing, size, dimension, and alignment of different Views. Constraint Layout has different attributes to set Views in the layout. You can set the View of any position of the layout easily rather than that in Relative Layout. It supports Android and iOS platforms. Constraint layout comes under ViewGroup.
Advantages of Constraint Layout
- Flat View Hierarchy and no nested view.
- Better performance and high responsiveness.
- Align position, size, and alignment of the screen.
- Support Android (API 9) and iOS Platform.
Some Important Constraint Layout Properties and Attributes
These attributes take only id or parent. Align view from any side of the target view.,
- layout_constraintLeft_toLeftOf - align left of the desired view is left of the target view.
- layout_constraintLeft_toRightOf - align left of the desired view is right of the target view.
- layout_constraintRight_toLeftOf - align-right of the desired view is left of the target view.
- layout_constraintRight_toRightOf - align-right of the desired view is right of the target view.
- layout_constraintTop_toTopOf - align the top of the desired view is top of the target view.
- layout_constraintTop_toBottomOf - align the top of the desired view is the bottom of the target view.
- layout_constraintBottom_toTopOf - align the bottom of the desired view is top of the target view.
- layout_constraintBottom_toBottomOf - align the bottom of the desired view is the bottom of the target view.
- layout_constraintBaseline_toBaselineOf - align the baseline of the desired view is the baseline of the target view.
- layout_constraintStart_toEndOf - align the start of the desired view is the end of the target view.
- layout_constraintStart_toStartOf - align the start of the desired view is the start of the target view.
- layout_constraintEnd_toStartOf - align the end of the desired view is the start of the target view.
- layout_constraintEnd_toEndOf - align the end of the desired view is the end of the target view.
Margin Attributes - These attributes take only positive values.
- layout_marginStart - Margin from start side of the desired view.
- layout_marginEnd - Margin from the end side of the desired view.
- layout_marginLeft - Margin from the left side of the desired view.
- layout_marginTop - Margin from the top side of the desired view.
- layout_marginRight - Margin from the right side of the desired view.
- layout_marginBottom - Margin from the bottom side of the desired view.
Let's see how to use Constraint Layout to design or align views in Xamarin.Android.
Android output
There is no default package for constraint layout in Xamarin.Android. So, we need to install a plugin for this.
Follow these steps to archive the above view using Constraint Layout.
Let’s start.
Step 1 - Create a new project
You can create a Xamarin Android app by going to File >> New >> Android under select App. In the General section, select Android App then, click "Next".
In the new window, enter and select your application name, theme and compatibility followed by click "Create project".
Step 2 - Add Constraint Layout Plugin
After project creation add the following NuGet package to your project
For that, Right-click packages and select "Add packages". A new dialog appears. At the right-top corner, search for “Xamarin.Android.Support.Constraint.Layout” and click the "Add Packages" button.
Step 3 - Design Instruction
Now, design the Signup page. For that, go to Solution Explorer >> Resource >> layout >> double click to open content_main.xml. First, we need to set the root of the layout as a Constraint layout and declare the app namespace.
- <android.support.constraint.ConstraintLayout
- xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
- xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
- xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
- android:id="@+id/container"
- android:background="@drawable/gradientcolor_rose"
- android:layout_width="match_parent"
- android:layout_height="match_parent"
- android:paddingBottom="@dimen/activity_vertical_margin"
- android:paddingLeft="@dimen/activity_horizontal_margin"
- android:paddingRight="@dimen/activity_horizontal_margin"
- android:paddingTop="@dimen/activity_vertical_margin"
- android:hapticFeedbackEnabled="false">
- </android.support.constraint.ConstraintLayout >
Now, start your design. Set the image button in the left top corner of the page. The below Constraint attribute is used to set the image button based on parent view.
- app:layout_constraintLeft_toLeftOf = “parent”
- app:layout_constraintTop_toTopOf = “parent”
Logo Image
This view is set by the right of the image button and center of the parent. The top, end, start attribute of image is set based on parent view and another one attribute is set based on another view id.
- app:layout_constraintTop_toTopOf="parent"
- app:layout_constraintStart_toEndOf="@+id/imageView2"
- app:layout_constraintStart_toStartOf="parent"
- app:layout_constraintEnd_toEndOf="parent"
Text View
This view is set below the image and to the left side of the parent. The below constraint attributes are used to set the text in the correct position. The first left attribute is set based on the parent but other attributes are set by different id.
- app:layout_constraintLeft_toLeftOf="parent"
- app:layout_constraintTop_toBottomOf="@+id/imageView"
- app:layout_constraintBottom_toTopOf="@+id/txtFirstName"
As well as, you can set other child views using different attributes.
Step 4 - Login Page Design
Now, let us design the Login Page. For that, go to Solution Explorer >> Resource >> layout >> double-click to open login_activity.xml. This page code given below,
Step 5 - Signup Page Design
Now, create a background color of Signup page named as grandientcolor_rose.xml. Add new XML page by right-clicking the drawable folder >> Add new File >> Left bar select Android >> next followed by select XML file >> give the name as grandientcolor_rose.xml. Copy and paste the below code.
Step 6 - MainActivity.cs Code
Next, open MainActivity.cs (Login Activity) and add the following code to validate the user input. When you click login, it will validate and check the user is available or not. If credentials are correct, it goes to the main page. If you want to sign up click a floating button.
- using System;
- using Android.App;
- using Android.OS;
- using Android.Runtime;
- using Android.Support.Design.Widget;
- using Android.Support.V7.App;
- using Android.Views;
- using Android.Widget;
- using SignLoginScreen.Resources.activitys;
-
- namespace SignLoginScreen
- {
- [Activity(Label = "@string/app_name", Theme = "@style/AppTheme.NoActionBar", MainLauncher = true)]
- public class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity
- {
-
- protected override void OnCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)
- {
- base.OnCreate(savedInstanceState);
- Xamarin.Essentials.Platform.Init(this, savedInstanceState);
- SetContentView(Resource.Layout.activity_login
- );
- var clickLogin = FindViewById<Button>(Resource.Id.button);
- var userMail = FindViewById<EditText>(Resource.Id.etPassword1);
- var userPWD = FindViewById<EditText>(Resource.Id.etPassword);
-
- clickLogin.Click += delegate {
- var emailText = Intent.GetStringExtra("eMail");
- var pwdText = Intent.GetStringExtra("pwd");
- if (emailText.ToString() == userMail.Text.ToString())
- {
- if(pwdText.ToString() == userPWD.Text.ToString())
- {
- Android.App.AlertDialog.Builder dialog1 = new Android.App.AlertDialog.Builder(this);
- Android.App.AlertDialog alert1 = dialog1.Create();
- alert1.SetTitle("Login Sucess");
- var userNameIntent = Intent.GetStringExtra("userName");
- alert1.SetMessage($"Hi {userNameIntent} Good Day");
- alert1.SetButton("OK", (c, ev) =>
- {
- StartActivity(typeof(HomeActivity));
- });
- alert1.Show();
- }
- else
- {
- Android.App.AlertDialog.Builder dialog = new Android.App.AlertDialog.Builder(this);
- Android.App.AlertDialog alert = dialog.Create();
- alert.SetTitle("Failed");
- alert.SetMessage($"Password Incorrect");
- alert.SetButton("OK", (c, ev) =>
- {
-
- });
- alert.Show();
- }
- }
- else
- {
- Android.App.AlertDialog.Builder dialog = new Android.App.AlertDialog.Builder(this);
- Android.App.AlertDialog alert = dialog.Create();
- alert.SetTitle("Login Failed");
- alert.SetMessage("Enter Valid Credentials");
- alert.SetButton("OK", (c, ev) =>
- {
-
- });
- alert.Show();
- }
- };
- var fabClick = FindViewById<FloatingActionButton>(Resource.Id.floatingActionButton);
- fabClick.Click += FabClick_Click;
- }
-
- private void FabClick_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
- {
- StartActivity(typeof(signupActivity));
- }
-
- public override bool OnCreateOptionsMenu(IMenu menu)
- {
- MenuInflater.Inflate(Resource.Menu.menu_main, menu);
- return false;
- }
-
- public override bool OnOptionsItemSelected(IMenuItem item)
- {
- int id = item.ItemId;
- if (id == Resource.Id.action_settings)
- {
- return true;
- }
- return base.OnOptionsItemSelected(item);
- }
- public override void OnRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, string[] permissions, [GeneratedEnum] Android.Content.PM.Permission[] grantResults)
- {
- Xamarin.Essentials.Platform.OnRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
-
- base.OnRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
- }
- }
- }
Step 7 - SignupActivity.cs Code
Add another activity for the sign-up page. For that, Go to Solution Explorer >> Resources >> activities >> Add a new activity named as signup_activity.cs. Full source code is given below. Entered data will be validated and stored in Intent.
Step 8 - Output
Now, Rebuild and run your application. You will have the result like below.
Android Output
Note
Import images, string, color, theme.
Thank for reading and if you have any suggestions comment below.