SetResult

SetResult is a method name used across programming environments to assign or communicate the outcome of an operation. The exact semantics depend on the framework, but the common idea is to produce a value that represents the result, either by delivering data, signaling completion, or both. In many APIs, setResult is paired with a retrieval or completion mechanism, such as a corresponding getResult, onResult, or completion callback.

In Android, setResult is a method on an Activity used to return data to a calling activity. When an activity is started for a result, the callee constructs optional data in an Intent, calls setResult with a result code (for example, RESULT_OK or RESULT_CANCELED) and the data, and then finishes. The calling activity receives the result through onActivityResult in older APIs or via the Activity Result API in newer ones, which inspects both the result code and the returned data to determine next steps.

In asynchronous programming, setResult often appears in promise- or task-based abstractions to signal completion with a value. For example, a TaskCompletionSource<T> in some environments uses SetResult to complete the associated Task<T> with the produced value, allowing awaiting code to resume with that result. Similar concepts exist in other languages where a completion or resolve method signals that a value is ready.

In testing and mocking contexts, setResult can be used to supply a predefined outcome for a method call, enabling deterministic tests.

Design considerations include ensuring that a result is produced only once, that it adheres to the operation’s protocol, and that callers have a clear, well-defined way to observe or receive the result. Alternatives and naming vary by API, with resolve, complete, or finish used in other ecosystems.