Android Themes and styles.xml -

(1) confused themes in android.

for example android:theme.material.light , theme.appcompat.light. holo light , dark themes.

i don't understand when use what. can explain me differences of these android themes?

need explanation these themes can understand how works in style.xml.

(2) why there prefixed , non prefixed attributes in style tags.

 <item name="colorprimary">#3f51b5</item>  <item name="android:colorprimary">#3f51b5</item> 

when use prefix?

can explain this?

the important thing note these themes not every version of android support them. thus, may want use different themes depending on version of android application gets installed on. derek banas had great video on styles , themes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3xhin15hp8

i'm not knowledgeable styles, i'll give shot. believe "android:colorprimary" used when overriding attribute in defined style. i'm not knowledgeable styles lead documentation page found seems cover topic well:

http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/ui/themes.html

here references further reading

https://plus.google.com/+androiddevelopers/posts/jxhkyhswhah

https://plus.google.com/+androiddevelopers/posts/av2oobwy1iy