Why the array is empty after observer?

Question

I am trying to get the values from the Room database:

val cars = mutableListOf<String>()
carsDb.getAll.observe(viewLifecycleOwner) { 
   cars = it.toMutableList()
   // cars.size = 5 
}

// cars.size = 0

Why can't I get the values outside the observer?

I am facing this issuing every time.

Answer 1

Looks like a problem of synchronisation, the db call carsDb.getAll.observe() is likely asynchronous, so the cars.size=5 you get inside the function is resolved later than the cars.size=0you got just after calling the db call (but before the request is resolved)