Android Question [SOLVED] Storage for data files

[JoeR]

My app has data files (.txt or .jpg) which I plan to install/update from my own website.
Where do I install them? I presume it is to File.DirDefaultExternal

Can I (optionally) make them visible when an Android device is "USB connected" to a PC?

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For clarity, I have copied below some previous info from Erel.

Files locations - There are several important locations where you can read or write files.

File.DirAssets
The assets folder includes the files that were added with the file manager. These files are read-only. You can not create new files in this folder (which is actually located inside the apk file).

File.DirInternal / File.DirInternalCache
These two folders are stored in the main memory and are private to your application. Other applications cannot access these files.
The cache folder may get deleted by the OS if it needs more space.

File.DirRootExternal
The storage card root folder.

File.DirDefaultExternal
The default folder for your application in the SD card.
The folder is: <storage card>/Android/data/<package>/files/
It will be created if required.

 

[Erel]

The external storage is visible to file browsers. You might need to send an intent to force the media scanner to scan the files.

Where to install?

Dim f As String
If File.ExternalWritable Then
 f = File.DirDefaultExternal
Else
f = File.DirInternal
End If

 

[JoeR]

I have experimented with the above code fragment and it is very helpful.

Can you please explain exactly what I have to do to make the storage visible to browsers.
I have a permission line in my manifest as below - but it does not seem to make any difference.

AddManifestText(
<uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="4" android:targetSdkVersion="14"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
<supports-screens android:largeScreens="true"
    android:normalScreens="true"
  then snipped ...

 

[Erel]

You do not need to add this permission. It will be added automatically.

You can use this code to force the media scanner to scan the file: http://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/force-media-scanner-on-deleted-file.25794/#post-214985