Performance wise, what is typically better, using an image or a xml created shape as a drawable?

Question

For example, if each row in a list had a background that was a gradient, would it be better to use a image of a gradient or to define that gradient in a shape drawable in xml? Is there is significant performance difference between the two methods?

Answer 1

Don't prematurely optomize. That's a really hard thing to know what will be better. I would just do it in xml since it would be easier to change.