When to use a Service or AsyncTask or Handler?

Question

Can someone tell me the TRUE difference?

Answer 1

• AsyncTask: When I wish to do something without hanging the UI & reflect the changes in the UI.

E.g.: Downloading something on Button Click, remaining in the same activity & showing progress bar/seekbar to update the percentage downloaded. If the Activity enters the background, there are chances of conflict.

• Service: When I wish to do something in the background that doesn’t need to update the UI, use a Service. It doesn’t care whether the Application is in the foreground or background.

E.g.: When any app downloaded from Android Market shows notification in the Status Bar & the UI returns to the previous page & lets you do other things.