Learn More About Fundamentals of Android Architecture 🚀

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Introduction to Android OS

Layers and Components:

1. Linux Kernel: At the core of the Android operating system is the Linux kernel. It provides low-level hardware abstraction, device drivers, and core system services. The Linux kernel acts as an interface between the hardware and the upper layers of the Android stack.
2. Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL): Above the Linux kernel is the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL). The HAL provides standardized interfaces for hardware components such as the camera, audio, and sensors. It allows device manufacturers to develop drivers for specific hardware while providing a consistent API for Android applications.
3. Native Libraries: Native libraries contain precompiled code written in C or C++. These libraries include components like OpenGL for graphics rendering, WebKit for web browsing, and SQLite for database management. They are an integral part of the Android OS, enhancing performance and providing core functionality.
4. Android Runtime (ART): ART is the runtime environment for Android applications. It replaces the older Dalvik runtime. ART compiles application bytecode into native machine code when an app is installed, which improves application performance. It also features ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation for better efficiency.
5. Java API Framework: The Java API framework consists of the Android application framework and core Java libraries. Android applications are primarily written in Java, and this framework provides a set of reusable software components for building apps. It includes activities, services, content providers, and broadcast receivers.
6. Application Framework: The Application Framework layer includes various high-level services and managers, such as the Activity Manager, Content Resolver, Location Manager, and Notification Manager. These components facilitate common app functions and interactions with the system.
7. Applications: At the top of the Android stack are the user-facing applications. These include pre-installed system apps like the phone dialer, messaging, and contacts, as well as user-installed third-party apps from the Play Store.

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Role of Linux Kernel in Android

The Linux kernel in Android serves several crucial roles:

• Hardware Abstraction: The kernel interacts directly with hardware components, providing device drivers for various hardware elements such as the CPU, GPU, memory management, and I/O operations.
• Security: The Linux kernel enforces security mechanisms, ensuring that processes run in isolated user spaces. It controls access to hardware and system resources, preventing unauthorized actions.
• Process Management: The kernel manages processes, scheduling their execution and allocating system resources. It ensures multitasking and responsiveness in the Android OS.
• File System Support: Linux provides file system support, including access to the file system, file permissions, and file I/O operations, which are essential for app data storage.
• Networking: Android relies on the Linux kernel for network connectivity, including managing network interfaces, routing, and communication protocols.
• Power Management: The kernel plays a significant role in power management, controlling CPU frequencies, device sleep states, and battery optimization.

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Understanding Android Runtime (ART) & Libraries

1. Android Runtime (ART): ART is the runtime environment used to execute Android applications. It introduced AOT compilation, which converts bytecode into native machine code during app installation. This AOT approach improves app performance compared to the previous Dalvik runtime, which used Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation.
2. Java Libraries: Android includes a set of core Java libraries that provide a wide range of functionality for app development. These libraries cover topics such as data structures, networking, input/output, and user interface development.
3. Native Libraries: Native libraries are written in C or C++ and provide low-level access to system resources and hardware. These libraries are used to implement critical system components like graphics rendering (OpenGL), web rendering (WebKit), and database management (SQLite).
4. Android Libraries: Android also offers libraries specific to the platform, such as the Android Support Library (now part of AndroidX) and Google Play Services. These libraries provide additional functionality, support backward compatibility, and enable integration with Google services.

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İbrahim Can Erdoğan

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