Getting started with Android’s intent filters

Intents have been a fundamental aspect of Android OS since its inception, serving as messaging objects to request actions from app components. They are used for starting activities, services, and delivering messages to BroadcastReceivers, with two main types being explicit and implicit intents. Implicit intents require intent filters, defined in the app's Manifest.xml file, to specify the types of intents a component can receive. These filters, crucial for the operation of implicit intents, include attributes like action, data, and category. The article explores various examples of intent filters, such as those for showing maps or capturing images, and demonstrates advanced uses like custom intent actions and multiple filters within a single component. The importance of intents is underscored by their integration into broader software architectures and their role in enabling app components like services and broadcast receivers to communicate effectively.