Which Android widget should I use for a static text label?

Question

I just want a simple non-editable text label but there doesn't seem to be a widget explicitly for it. The closest thing seems to be a android.widget.TextView. But the documentation says a "TextView is a complete text editor". That seems like overkill for a simple label. I don't want to bloat my application. Is there a more appropriate widget?

Or am I approaching this the wrong way? For example, let's say I'm building a settings screen, is there a layout I should choose which gives me labels for the properties so I don't have to specify widgets for the labels?

Answer 1

Is there a more appropriate widget?

No.

I don't want to bloat my application.

You won't, unless you put a ton of text in it. While TextView has a lot of code, your process will already have access to that code, whether you use TextView or not. The only "bloat" would come from the actual heap space used by the TextView object itself (and objects that it holds).

For example, let's say I'm building a settings screen, is there a layout I should choose which gives me labels for the properties so I don't have to specify widgets for the labels?

Typically, we would use a PreferenceFragment, backed by a preference XML resource, instead of having any layout or widgets.

But, if you wanted to roll your own for some reason, use TextView for the labels.