What does the windowSoftInputMode parameter mean in Android?

windowSoftInputMode is an attribute in the <activity> element of the Android manifest (AndroidManifest.xml) that defines how the activity window interacts with the virtual keyboard (software input). It affects the behavior of the activity window when showing or hiding the keyboard.

Possible attribute values:

• stateUnspecified: The keyboard is hidden or shown depending on system settings and context. This is the default value.
• stateUnchanged: The keyboard state (hidden/shown) does not change when transitioning to this activity.
• stateHidden: The keyboard is always hidden when transitioning to this activity.
• stateAlwaysHidden: The keyboard is always hidden if the activity window has focus.
• stateVisible: The keyboard is always visible when transitioning to this activity.
• stateAlwaysVisible: The keyboard is always visible if the activity window has focus.
• adjustUnspecified: The system determines how to resize the window or content to make room for the keyboard. This is the default value.
• adjustResize: The size of the activity window is changed so that all its content can be scrolled and the focused input field can be displayed without being covered by the keyboard.
• adjustPan: The activity window is panned so that the current input field is visible, but some content may be covered by the keyboard. The window size does not change.
• adjustNothing: This flag is deprecated and not supported. Behavior is similar to adjustUnspecified.

Some values can be combined (e.g., stateVisible|adjustResize).

Example of usage in the manifest:

<activity
    android:name=".MainActivity"
    android:label="@string/app_name"
    android:windowSoftInputMode="stateVisible|adjustResize">
    <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
        <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
    </intent-filter>
</activity>