I have an android xml layout, main.xml. I would like to add controls to this layout at runtime (I would like to add a series of additional linear layouts that contain button
I see the error u r doing here
LinearLayout mainLayout = (LinearLayout) findViewById(R.layout.main);
You r taking the layout as Linearlayout object, you should take the LinearLayout id
Try this
LinearLayout lnr = (LinearLayout) findViewById(R.id.LinearLayout01);
Button b1 = new Button(this);
b1.setText("Btn");
lnr.addView(b1);