Sending POST data in Android

java

android-networking

httpurlconnection

retrofit

byNikita Barsukov·Jan 5, 2025

Kick off HTTP POST requests in Android using OkHttp for immediate ease:

OkHttpClient client = new OkHttpClient();
String json = "{\"name\": \"John\", \"age\": 30}"; //Hello John, age is just a number!
RequestBody body = RequestBody.create(json, MediaType.parse("application/json; charset=utf-8"));
Request request = new Request.Builder()
        .url("https://your.api.endpoint/") //Remember to replace this with your actual URL!
        .post(body)
        .build();

client.newCall(request).enqueue(new Callback() {
    @Override
    public void onFailure(Call call, IOException e) {
        e.printStackTrace(); //It's not a bug, it's an undocumented feature!
    }

    @Override
    public void onResponse(Call call, Response response) throws IOException {
        if (response.isSuccessful()) {
            final String responseStr = response.body().string();
            // Do something with the response, throw a party maybe? 🎉
        }
    }
});

Note: So you don't freeze the UI, make sure network operations are off main thread. With enqueue, asynchronous execution is baked in like Grandma's apple pie.

A deep-dive into Android's POST request

Android networking has come a long way. While AsyncTask was once a go-to, approach it's now forbidden fruit since Android API 30. For the modern API levels of Android 6.0 (API 23) and higher, HttpURLConnection is the native route whereas third-party libraries like OkHttp, Retrofit and Volley add the turbo-boost.

Your toolkit for networking

The tie is chilling in the dressing room while the shirt (i.e., Retrofit) is ironed for type-safe REST client implementation. Meanwhile, Volley waits at the bar, ready for some simple network requests—always flush with cached responses! But if you're yearning for some bare-metal level action, look no further than HttpURLConnection!

Traversing the data labyrinth

When it comes to POSTing data for API levels below Android 6.0, whip out your Lists and NameValuePair instances like a navigation map across a maze. But for the modern era of APIs, JSON data is more like a missile-guided approach—punch in the coordinates, and off you go! But remember, encode characters appropriately, or your data might head to Mars instead of the Moon! 🚀 🌜

Slaying the exceptions dragon while threading the needle!

Like a knight facing a dragon, your code must confront and vanish exceptions like IOException to prevent the app from crashing, which users adore just as much as a knight relishes dragon bites! Also, remember to conduct network requests away from the main thread—think of it as a blacksmith's work, needing a separate room, away from the hustle of the castle.

Staying updated and secure with POST

Undergoing a POST makeover

Let's bid farewell to HttpClient and HttpPost—there's always a ceremonious ousting for the old guards — make space for more secure methods like HttpURLConnection or even the lavish third-party magnificent libraries.

Your (POST)man for secure transmission

Unless you fancy playing with public data — remember to set the request method to POST and define the Content-Type! Remember, sending JSON formatted data is like handwriting your structured delivery notes—everyone can read and sort it out!

Making sense of server gibberish

Receiving server's response is as exciting as watching the dough rise in an oven! Brace InputStream and BufferedReader to handle raw data response - like baking gloves to hot cookies. Bind together server responses with StringBuilder, and validate the results by logging them—a baker always tastes the dough before serving!

explain-codes / Java / Sending POST data in Android

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