ContentProvider
A ContentProvider is a component in the Android operating system that encapsulates data and exposes it to other applications through a standard interface. It uses content URIs with a unique authority to identify and access data sets, allowing inter-app data sharing while abstracting the underlying storage.
Clients interact with a provider via a ContentResolver, performing operations such as query, insert, update, delete,
Implementation typically involves subclassing ContentProvider and overriding lifecycle and data access methods, including onCreate, query, insert,
Security and access control are important considerations. Access is controlled through permissions and the exported attribute;
Usage patterns include system-provided providers such as ContactsContract and MediaStore, which expose data to apps, as
Overall, ContentProviders enable structured, controlled data sharing and abstraction of data storage, supporting consistent access patterns