why should i use android service instead of java thread

Question

I am confused with android services and java thread.

Please help me to understand in which scenario i should use them.

As per my understanding

Service run in background ,so do thread.

Service is to be used for activities like network operation or playing mp3 in background,so do threads.

So whats actual difference between them and when to use each of them.

Answer 1

Let me give an analogy.

Activities and Service are like projects.

Activities are like external projects. This is what the clients(users) see.

Services are like internal projects. There might be several internal projects for 1 external project or none at all.

You can "pause" external project but the internal project that supports it can still continue.

Main Thread is like the boss in a company

The boss should never be held up by too much work since he shouldn't be late to meetings (UI freezing) or the client(user) will be unhappy.

Threads are like employees in a company.

The more you have, the more things you can do at the same time provided you have enough equipment(CPU speed) for all of them.

Multiple employees can work on the same project at the same time but the boss should really work only on the Activities.