How can you initiate a long-running task in Kotlin?

In Kotlin, the GlobalScope.launch { ... } function is specifically designed for initiating long-running tasks in a coroutine context. This approach allows for asynchronous programming, meaning that tasks can be executed without blocking the main thread, which is crucial in Android development to ensure the user interface remains responsive.

When you use GlobalScope.launch, you are creating a coroutine that runs concurrently with the rest of your application. This coroutine can be used to perform background work, such as network calls or database operations, while still being able to update the UI when the task is completed. The coroutine provides structured concurrency, allowing you to easily manage lifecycle and cancellation of tasks.

In contrast, using AsyncTask.run() is not a viable option because AsyncTask is a class designed for executing background operations in a more limited context and is now deprecated in favor of coroutines. Thread.sleep() simply pauses the current thread, which is not suitable for long-running tasks in a UI context, as it would cause the UI to freeze. Meanwhile, creating a new Runnable instance would require additional threading management and does not provide the coroutine benefits that make tasks easier to handle in Kotlin. Thus, utilizing GlobalScope.launch { ... } is the correct and preferred method