Which context to use for Toast in Android?

Question

I just learned that I can use either:

Toast.makeText(MainActivity.this, R.string.some_string,Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();

or,

Toast.makeText(getApplicationContext(), R.string.some_string,Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();

To display a Toast in Android.

Earlier I thought context was actually a sort of handle to the parent window where it should be display but the documentation is unclear about this.

Then I came across this table:

It also doesn't seem to mention what context exactly to use for a Toast?

Edit:

Is context like a "handle to parent window" for the sub-window like Toast? or does it actually allow the Toast.makeText to get access to resources or something?

Why is it being used at all if the context doesn't matter?

Answer 1

Looking at Toast.java, I can see the Context is used only for:

• obtaining Resources
• obtaining Package Name
• getText which is actually same as #1

So apparently there's no difference whether it's Activity or ApplicationContext, unless those resources depend on theme (which is not the case as far as I can tell).

And no, the context passed to Toast is not a handle to parent window in any sense.

Answer 2

I'd recommend to use the activity in your case. Since you're calling from the activity itself. The activity is a Context and you're using the method on the activity to get another context (the application). It is a little unnecessary.

However in the case you're calling a toast from somewhere else it might be a better idea to use the application, since the application will always be there while your app is active.