The Big Picture

Let’s start by taking a look at the overall system architecture—the key layers and components that make up the Android open source software stack. In the figure, you can see the “20,000-foot” view of Android. Study it closely—there will be a test tomorrow.

images/fig.architecture.png
Figure 1. Android system architecture

Each layer uses the services provided by the layers below it. Starting from the bottom, the following sections highlight the layers provided by Android.

Linux Kernel

Android is built on top of a solid and proven foundation: the Linux kernel. Created by Linus Torvalds in 1991, Linux can be found today in everything from wristwatches to supercomputers. ...

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