What is Android Operating System?
What is Android Operating System?
The Android Operating system is launched in the year 2008 by Google. It is written in languages such as Java, C, C++ and others, available in over 100 languages. Devices like cell phones, touch screens and tablets can adapt to the android operating system using finger movements such as pinching, swiping and tapping.
Android software employs various devices such as televisions and wearable devices, including wristwatches, mobiles, notebooks, smart TVs, set-top boxes and cars, which are fitted with a unique user interface. Around 75% of shares are held by the android operating system worldwide.
Different Versions of Android Operating System
Google releases updated Android versions frequently, including new features and security patches to provide a good user interface. The android versions have a unique Application Program Interface which represents a numerical value for identifying the version of Android.
From 2008 to now, Android is taking various versions such as follows,
The android names are arranged based on their alphabetical order from the above tabular column.
Why is Android so Popular?
1. A vast number of Users
A large number of people are using Android widely, which is about 75% and will increase in upcoming years. Hence companies are developing applications which Android OS supports.
2. Big Community Support
Google frequently releases the updated version of Android, which includes various features and comprehensively supports the developers. Moreover, it includes developer guides, tools and discussions regarding any queries, bugs and development issues. Thus it has considerable community support and helps develop an application without difficulties.
3. Frequent Updates and Security Fixes
Google frequently releases the updated version of Android, which helps people to work or use the stable version, and it assures the safety of the updated version, which is least to often no bugs.
4. Work sharing and Money Earning
A person is developing an application having the flexibility to distribute or share through any network. Either they can publish their application directly in Google Store to earn money or publish their application in other application stores of the manufactures
5. A good User Interface
Android provides an interactive user interface that helps turn creativity and imagination into reality. It enables the user to use exciting widgets and tools to make the user interface smooth.
Applications of Android
Some of the applications of Android are,
1. Navigation
For navigation, Google Maps is the best example. It helps people locate the directions and route quickly, reducing time consumption.
2. Lifestyle
Android plays a significant role in lifestyle; it helps track a person’s fitness and helps maintain a healthy lifestyle. Apart from that people finishes their day to day work by means of mobile phones which works based on their desired operating system.
3. Business
Android in business helps more broadly by managing finances, team collaboration, and scheduling, travelling and business owners to develop the organization or business further.
Android Architecture
The android architecture comprises of following components such as,
Applications
Application Framework
Android Runtime
Platform Libraries
Linux kernels
Applications
In android architecture, applications are the top layer of the architecture. It runs within the Android run time with the help of classes and services which provides the application framework.
Application Framework
The application framework provides several important classes used to create Android Applications. It allows hardware access and manages the user interface using application resources. The framework includes an activity manager, notification manager, view system, and package manager for developing an application.
Application Runtime
The most crucial part of Android is Android Application Runtime. It includes the library functions and Dalvik virtual Machine (DVM). It helps to power the application with core libraries.
Platform Libraries
The platform libraries contain various C C++ core libraries and are based on Java libraries, including Media, Graphics, Surface Manager, OpenGL etc. It includes
Media
Surface Manager
SGL and OpenGL
SQLite
Web-Kit
SSL
Linux Kernels
Linux Kernels are named as the heart of the android architecture. It handles the display, camera, Bluetooth, audio, and memory drivers required during the runtime. Some of the features of the Linux Kernel are,
Ø Security
Ø Memory Management
Ø Process Management
Ø Network stack
Ø Driver Model
Summary
In the above article, the features and functions of Android are discussed. Due to its enormous features, it is widely used by people and bets among the available operating system in the market. It gains its fame through frequent updation and development.
