What is the difference between gravity and layout_gravity in Android?

What is the difference between the gravity attribute and the layout_gravity attribute in Android, and how do they affect the positioning and alignment of UI elements within a layout?

Both gravity and layout_gravity are attributes used in Android to control the positioning and alignment of UI elements, but they are applied in different contexts and serve different purposes.

gravity Attribute: Purpose: The gravity attribute is used to align the content (like text or a child view) within the view it is applied to.

Usage Context: It is typically applied to views like TextView, Button, or any view group to control how its content is positioned within the view's own boundaries.

Effect: When you set the gravity attribute, you are specifying how the content inside the view should be aligned. For example, aligning text to the center, left, right, top, or bottom of the TextView.

layout_gravity Attribute: Purpose: The layout_gravity attribute is used to position the view within its parent layout.

Usage Context: It is applied to the child views within a ViewGroup like LinearLayout or FrameLayout.

Effect: When you set the layout_gravity attribute, you are specifying how the entire view should be positioned within its parent container. For example, aligning a Button to the center, top, bottom, left, or right of the LinearLayout.

Summary: gravity: Aligns the content within the view itself.

layout_gravity: Aligns the view within its parent layout.

Understanding these attributes and their appropriate usage helps in designing and controlling the layout and positioning of UI elements effectively in Android applications.