Introduction
Frequently, you might need to store valuables in a container, but eventually, the container gets too small, so you get another one that is more appropriate and effective for storage.
Android developers need to store data persistently for different use cases such as user preferences, settings, cached data, or application data. Two common storage options for persistent data storage are shared preferences and data stores. Both Shared Preferences and DataStore are available in the Android Jetpack library, but they differ in terms of functionality and performance.
A storage system is designed to store data or values, and when they are needed, we must retrieve them from where they are kept. (the process of storing and retrieving values).
This article will provide a detailed comparison of Shared Preferences and DataStore in Android and their respective pros and cons.
Shared Preferences
Shared Preferences is a key-value storage option for storing data in an Android application. It is a simple, lightweight, and easy-to-use storage option, suitable for storing small amounts of data. Shared Preferences is used to store primitive data types such as boolean, integer, float, long, and string.
Pros:
Simple and easy to use: Shared Preferences is simple and easy to use. Developers can store and retrieve data with only a few lines of code.
Lightweight: Shared Preferences is lightweight and does not require any complex setup or configuration.
Good for small data sets: Shared Preferences is good for storing small data sets such as user preferences or application settings.
Cons:
Limited functionality: Shared Preferences has limited functionality and is only suitable for storing small data sets. It is not suitable for storing large amounts of data or complex data structures.
Not secure: Shared Preferences data is not secure and can be easily accessed by other applications on the device.
Synchronous: Shared Preferences are synchronous, which means that it can block the UI thread if used incorrectly, resulting in poor application performance.
DataStore
DataStore is a newer persistent storage option introduced in Android Jetpack. It is a modern, flexible, and powerful storage option that overcomes many of the limitations of Shared Preferences. DataStore is used to store and retrieve key-value pairs, objects, and data structures.
Pros:
More powerful: DataStore is more powerful than Shared Preferences and can store a wider range of data types and structures, including objects and data classes.
Secure: DataStore data is secure and can only be accessed by the application that created it.
Asynchronous: DataStore is asynchronous, which means that it does not block the UI thread, resulting in better application performance.
Cons:
More complex: DataStore is more complex than Shared Preferences and requires a more significant amount of code to set up and use.
Slower: DataStore is slower than Shared Preferences due to its asynchronous nature, and may not be suitable for performance-critical applications.
Limited backward compatibility: DataStore is not backward compatible with older versions of Android, which means that developers need to consider their target audience before using it.
Difference between Shared Preference and DataStore
Asynchronous API - Datastores get notified asynchronously when data has been modified using Kotlin coroutines and flows this also reduces the risk of blocking the UI thread while shared preference only allows asynchronous Api only for reading values via listeners.
Shared Preferences and DataStore are both storage options for persistent data storage in Android applications. While they serve a similar purpose, there are significant differences between the two. In this section, we will discuss in detail the differences between Shared Preferences and DataStore in Android.
Data Types: Shared Preferences is a key-value storage option that can only store primitive data types such as boolean, integer, float, long, and string. On the other hand, DataStore can store a wide range of data types, including primitive types, objects, and data classes.
Performance: Shared Preferences is a synchronous storage option, which means that it can block the UI thread if used incorrectly, resulting in poor application performance. DataStore, on the other hand, is an asynchronous storage option, which means that it does not block the UI thread, resulting in better application performance.
Security: Shared Preferences data is not secure and can be easily accessed by other applications on the device. DataStore data is secure and can only be accessed by the application that created it.
Backward Compatibility: Shared Preferences is backward compatible with older versions of Android. DataStore, on the other hand, is not backward compatible with older versions of Android and requires a minimum API level of 21 (Android 5.0 Lollipop).
Configuration: Shared Preferences does not require any complex setup or configuration and can be used right out of the box. DataStore, on the other hand, requires a more significant amount of code to set up and use.
Functionality: Shared Preferences has limited functionality and is only suitable for storing small data sets. DataStore, on the other hand, is more powerful than Shared Preferences and can store a wider range of data types and structures, including objects and data classes.
Migration: Shared Preferences does not support migration of data from one version of the app to another. DataStore, on the other hand, provides built-in support for data migration, making it easy to update the app without losing any data.
Testing: Shared Preferences is difficult to test since it requires access to the Android device or emulator. DataStore, on the other hand, can be easily tested using unit tests, making it easier to ensure the correctness and reliability of the code
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Shared Preferences and DataStore have their advantages and disadvantages. Shared Preferences is simple, lightweight, and good for small data sets, but it is not secure and lacks the flexibility and functionality of DataStore. On the other hand, DataStore is more powerful, secure, and asynchronous, but it is more complex and slower than Shared Preferences.
Ultimately, the choice between Shared Preferences and DataStore depends on the use case and the amount and complexity of data that needs to be stored. Developers should carefully consider the pros and cons of both options and choose the one that best suits their application's needs.