How to store drawable resources ID in the form of R.drawable.* inside an array using an XML values file?

This example demonstrates about How to store drawable resources ID in the form of R.drawable.* inside an array using an XML values file

Step 1 − Create a new project in Android Studio, go to File ⇒ New Project and fill all required details to create a new project.

Step 2 − Add the following code to res/values/ arrays.xml.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<resources>
   <integer-array name="random_images">
      <item>@drawable/image1</item>
      <item>@drawable/image2</item>
      <item>@drawable/image3</item>
   </integer-array>
</resources>

Step 3 − Add the following code to res/layout/activity_main.xml.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="https://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:tools="https://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:layout_width="match_parent"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   android:orientation="vertical"
   tools:context=".MainActivity">
   <ImageView
      android:id="@+id/iv1"
      android:layout_width="match_parent"
      android:layout_height="200dp"
      android:layout_margin="8dp"
      android:contentDescription="@string/app_name" />
   <ImageView
      android:id="@+id/iv2"
      android:layout_width="match_parent"
      android:layout_height="200dp"
      android:layout_margin="8dp"
      android:contentDescription="@string/app_name" />
   <ImageView
      android:id="@+id/iv3"
      android:layout_width="match_parent"
      android:layout_height="200dp"
      android:layout_margin="8dp"
      android:contentDescription="@string/app_name" />
</LinearLayout>

Step 4 − Add the following code to src/MainActivity.java

package app.com.sample;
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.content.res.TypedArray;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.widget.ImageView;
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
   ImageView iv1, iv2, iv3;
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
      iv1 = findViewById(R.id.iv1);
      iv2 = findViewById(R.id.iv2);
      iv3 = findViewById(R.id.iv3);
      TypedArray images = getResources().obtainTypedArray(R.array.random_images);
      iv1.setImageResource(images.getResourceId(0, -1));
      iv2.setImageResource(images.getResourceId(1, -1));
      iv3.setImageResource(images.getResourceId(2, -1));
      images.recycle();
   }
}

Step 5 − Add the following code to androidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="https://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" package="app.com.sample">
   <application
      android:allowBackup="true"
      android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
      android:label="@string/app_name"
      android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
      android:supportsRtl="true"
      android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
      <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
         <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
         </intent-filter>
      </activity>
   </application>
</manifest>

Let's try to run your application. I assume you have connected your actual Android Mobile device with your computer. To run the app from android studio, open one of your project's activity files and click Run icon from the toolbar. Select your mobile device as an option and then check your mobile device which will display your default screen −