Question

I want to create a file on the SD-Card and later save a CSV file in it.

From surfing around I noticed that there seem to be two ways about going about it:

http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/data/data-storage.html#filesExternal

If you’re using API Level 8 or
greater, use getExternalFilesDir() to
open a File that represents the
external storage directory where you
should save your files. This method
takes a type parameter that specifies
the type of subdirectory you want,
such as DIRECTORY_MUSIC and
DIRECTORY_RINGTONES (pass null to
receive the root of your application’s
file directory).

If you’re using API Level 7 or lower,
use getExternalStorageDirectory(), to
open a File representing the root of
the external storage. You should then
write your data in the following
directory:

/Android/data//files/

And http://www.anddev.org/working_with_files-t115.html :

FileWriter f = new FileWriter("/sdcard/download/possible.txt");

What way should I use? If the first, how do I write my application to be compatible with both API level <=7 and >=8? Is there some good tutorial for doing it the first way?

Answer 1

Well if you need compatibility with API level 7 and lower, use getExternalStorageDirectory() method. Also note that staring from API level 4 you have to request permission to write onto SD card:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />