CSC355-1 2015: Inquiring minds want to know: Why can't I just hardcode xml strings in android?

Why do I have to put strings into a resource file

XML file saved at res/values/strings.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<resources>
    <string name="hello">Hello!</string>
</resources>

and use weird syntax to retrieve them into a view?

<TextView
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:text="@string/hello" />

instead of just hardcoding them?

The issue of using literal constants instead of named constants comes up as students first learn a high-level programming language. Why use a named constant (declared and assigned) instead of just using the actual constant value right in your code?

Do you recall the justification for this construct--unfortunately this is not presented in the intro text by Sedgewick and Wayne, but most student learn the benefit (and the typography convention in Java--ALL CAPS).