[FIXED] setVisibility(GONE) view becomes invisible but still occupies space

Issue

I've got a view that is effectively is a button. Here is its XML layout (add_new.xml)

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:orientation="horizontal">
    <Button
        android:id="@+id/buttonNew"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="@string/bText" 
        android:onClick="addNew"/>
</LinearLayout>

When I set its visibility to GONE like this

v = getActivity().getLayoutInflater().inflate(R.layout.add_new, null);
v.setVisibility(View.GONE);

it disappears but still occupies space. Like this:

This button is a header in the ListView, which is defined by this xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:id="@+id/porno" >

    <ImageView
        android:id="@+id/icon"
        android:layout_width="30dp"
        android:layout_height="40dp"
        android:layout_marginLeft="4dp"
        android:layout_marginRight="10dp"
        android:layout_marginTop="4dp"
        android:src="@drawable/ic_launcher">
    </ImageView>

    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/label"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="@+id/label"
        android:textSize="20dp" >
    </TextView>

</LinearLayout> 

And I dont want it to occupy an additional list item when its visibility is set to GONE. As it is stated in the documentation.

GONE - This view is invisible, and it doesn't take any space for layout purposes.

Any ideas on how to make it NOT occupy space?

Thanks, Dennis xx

P.S. My listview is inside of a FoldersFragment ListFragmentand here is the xml of my MainActivity where FoldersFragment is presented

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:orientation="horizontal" >

    <fragment
        android:id="@+id/foldersFragment"
        android:layout_width="200dip"
        android:layout_height="match_parent"
        class="com.example.fragments.FoldersFragment" >
    </fragment>

    <fragment
        android:id="@+id/detailFragment"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent"
        class="com.example.fragments.DetailFragment" >
    </fragment>

</LinearLayout>

Solution

This is an Android bug in my opinion, we just fix this issue doing this:

<FrameLayout android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content">

    <LinearLayout android:id="@+id/layout_to_hide"
                  android:layout_width="match_parent"
                  android:layout_height="wrap_content">
         //Put here your views
    </LinearLayout>
</FrameLayout>

Just hide LinearLayout with id LAYOUT_TO_HIDE with Visible.GONE and then root FrameLayout will collapse its height giving you a "hidden" with non-blank-space header.

Answered By - noni
Answer Checked By - Katrina (JavaFixing Volunteer)