Why can't I use the string ID android.R.string.share?

Question

It's right there in values/strings.xml in Android's source - why isn't it in android.R?

edit: I am referring to Android's built in string resources (android.R.string.…) and not my own project's resources - so, for example, while I can use android.R.string.cancel, I can't use android.R.string.share despite the fact that the two of them are declared in the same file in Android's source code

Answer 1

They are just resources under the resource folder.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<resources>
<string name="share">hello</string>
</resources>

The above resource has a entry in R.java file which in under your package name. You can open R.java and have a look at it.

    public static final int share=0x7f040000;

You can refer to the string in Strings.xml as

  R.String.share

The R.strin.share is an int.

You can also get the string as

   String s= getResources().getString(R.string.share);

Edit:

http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/resources/accessing-resources.html#PlatformResources.

Check the topic in the above link under the heading Accessing Platform Resources

Android contains a number of standard resources, such as styles, themes, and layouts. To access these resource, qualify your resource reference with the android package name.

For list of all resources check the link

http://developer.android.com/reference/android/R.html

The list from http://developer.android.com/reference/android/R.string.html