Calling context.getResources() returns null

Question

So I am trying to get a string resource in my project but when I called context.getResources().getString(...), I get a NullPointerException. In debug mode, I found out that the context isn't null but looking at its members, I found out that mResources was null. Why are the resources not loaded for the activity context?

EDIT

Apparently, this is what triggered the Exception

public class MyActivity extends Activity {

    SomeClass someClass = new SomeClass(this);

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    }
}


public class SomeClass {

    private final Context mContext;

    public SomeClass(Context context) {
        mContext = context;
        mContext.getResources().getString(R.string.app_name);
    }
}

I had to move the initialization of someClass to after super.onCreate() as suggested by CommonsWare. Thanks.

How did you instantiate the activity you're using as a context? Where exactly in the activity lifecycle are you calling `getResources()`? — laalto, Jun 23 '14 at 19:43
Are you sure you're passing correct ID, that belongs String.xml? — Abhishek Shukla, Jun 23 '14 at 19:43
Instantiate as in creating an object of a class. Did the framework do it or did you use `new` yourself? — laalto, Jun 23 '14 at 19:45

score 30 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 23 '14 at 19:43

30

If I had to guess, you are trying to call this in an initializer. Do not attempt to use getResources() before the super.onCreate() call in your activity returns.

answered Jun 23 '14 at 19:43

CommonsWare

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Problem solved. Thanks. I have a member in the activity that initializes by default and I was trying to call the method from its constructor. – Olayinka Jun 23 '14 at 19:49

Calling context.getResources() returns null

1 Answers1

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