Here are few examples of getting R.string resource in code of your application.
It all comes down to using getText() and getString() functions when needed.
Example 1
If you have an array list like this:
private List<String> categories = new ArrayList<String>();
and you want to add a string from strings.xml to that list.
Let's say string is saved in strings.xml like this:
<string name="first_category">The first category</string>
To add this string from strings.xml to categories list you need to use getString() function.
It goes like this:
categories.add(getString(R.string.first_category));
If you try this without getString() function Eclipse will show an error.
Example 2
If you have a TextView like this:
private TextView txtViewExample;
and you want to set its text to a string from string.xml.
The string you want to add is saved in strings.xml like this:
<string name="stringExample">String Example</string>
If you try code like this:
txtViewExample.setText(R.string.stringExample);
TextView will show the correct text.
But, if you have a similar situation that needs you to add a text from strings.xml plus a string from a variable you might get into trouble.
Let's say you have a string variable:
private String tempString="XX";
and you want txtViewExample to show text like this:
String Example XX
If you try something like this:
txtViewExample.setText(R.string.stringExample + " " + tempString);
txtViewExample will show something like this:
2131034177 XX
As you can see instead of text from strings.xml --> stringExample
a number od R.string.stringExample resource is shown.
To do things right you need to use getText() function:
txtViewExample.setText(getText(R.string.stringExample) + " " + tempString);
Then you will get the right text displayed.
Hope this helps! ;-)
