UNIT 1 - ANDROID AND ITS TOOLS

What is Android ....?

• Android is an open-source mobile operating system developed by
Google.
• It is primarily used in smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and
other devices.
• Android is based on the Linux kernel and designed to be
customizable, allowing manufacturers to build their own devices
with specific features.
• The operating system supports a wide variety of applications
(apps), which are available through the Google Play Store.
 Need of Android –
 Dominance in Mobile Market
Android powers over 70% of smartphones worldwide,
making it the most popular mobile operating system.
It is available across various price ranges, from
budget to premium devices.
 Open-Source Nature
Android is open-source, allowing developers and
manufacturers to customize it for different needs.
This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range
of devices and innovations.
 Device Diversity
Android runs on smartphones, tablets, TVs, wearables,
and IoT devices. Its compatibility with various
hardware ensures its wide applicability.
 Cost-Effectiveness
Android provides affordable technology, making smart
devices accessible to a larger population. It
supports localized features, ensuring inclusivity
across regions.
 Development Opportunities
Android offers robust tools like Android Studio for
app development. Developers can reach a global
audience, creating apps that solve real-world
problems.
 Integration with Google Services
Android seamlessly integrates with Google services
like Maps, Drive, and Assistant, providing a
comprehensive user experience.
 Innovation and Updates
Android continuously evolves with new features like
AI, AR, and security updates. This keeps it relevant
and innovative in the tech industry.
 Career and Learning Opportunities
Learning Android development opens doors to high-
demand jobs in the IT and software industries. It
encourages creativity and problem-solving skills.

Features of Android –

1. Powering Smartphones and Tablets: Android is the most

widely used operating system for smartphones and tablets
worldwide. It provides the core functionality that allows
users to interact with their devices, run apps, and access
a wide range of features.
 2. Open-Source Nature: Android's open-source nature has
fostered a vibrant ecosystem of developers and
manufacturers. This has led to a diverse range of devices
at various price points, offering consumers more choices.
3. Large App Ecosystem: The Google Play Store hosts millions
of apps and games, giving users access to a vast library of
content and services.
4. Customization and Flexibility: Android allows for extensive
customization, enabling users to personalize their devices
with different launchers, widgets, and themes.
5. Integration with Google Services: Android seamlessly
integrates with Google services like Gmail, Google Maps,
Google Drive, and YouTube, providing a unified experience
across devices.
6. Innovation and Development: The open-source nature of
Android encourages innovation and development, leading to
new features and technologies being introduced regularly.

Tools and Software’s required -

1. Android Studio:
 The official integrated development environment
(IDE) for Android.
 Provides a comprehensive set of tools for
development, including:
 Code editor with syntax highlighting and
autocompletion
 Visual layout editor for designing user
interfaces
 Debugging tools
 Version control integration
 Gradle build system
2. Java Development Kit (JDK):
 Required for developing Android apps using Java.
3. Android SDK (Software Development Kit):
 Contains the necessary tools and libraries for
building Android apps.
 Includes:
o Android platform tools (adb, fastboot)
o Android emulator
o Build tools
o Libraries for various functionalities

The Open Handset Alliance (OHA) –

The Open Handset Alliance (OHA) is a consortium of 84 firms and companies
and organizations that came together to promote and develop open
standards for mobile devices, with the primary goal of creating a unified
platform for mobile phones. The alliance was formed in November 2007 and
was led by Google, which was the driving force behind the Android
operating system.
The main objectives of the Open Handset Alliance include:
• Promoting Open Standards: OHA supports the development and
adoption of open standards for mobile technology, ensuring
that developers can create apps and services without being
tied to proprietary systems.
• Android Development: The OHA was instrumental in developing
the Android operating system, which is the core product
that most member companies work with. Android has since
become the most widely used mobile operating system
globally.
• Ecosystem Growth: By creating a common platform, the
alliance aims to foster collaboration among manufacturers,
carriers, and developers, thereby expanding the mobile
ecosystem.
Key Members of OHA –
Google , Samsung, Sony , Motorola , LG, Intel etc
Significance of OHA
• The Open Handset Alliance played a significant role in
making Android an open-source platform, encouraging
manufacturers to adopt it freely without being locked into
specific proprietary systems.
• By working together, the members have contributed to
Android's widespread adoption, which has led to a vibrant
app ecosystem and diverse hardware offerings for consumers.

Android Ecosystem –
The Android ecosystem refers to the interconnected network
of hardware, software, and services that make up the Android
operating system (OS) environment.
Android, developed by Google, is an open-source OS primarily
designed for mobile devices but also used in tablets, TVs,
wearables, automobiles, and other smart devices.
Key Components of Android Ecosystem –
1. Android Operating System – The operating system that powers
Android devices, built on the Linux kernel, enabling user
interaction and hardware functionality.
2. Hardware – Hardware refers to the physical devices and
components that run the Android operating system.
3. Google Mobile Services – A suite of Google apps and APIs
(e.g., Gmail, Maps, Play Services) pre-installed on Android
devices to enhance functionality.
4. App Development Components – In the Android ecosystem, App
Development Components are the tools and resources used by
developers to create, test, and deploy Android apps.
5. Applications – Applications are software programs designed
to run on Android devices, providing functionality and
enhancing the user experience.
6. Connectivity and Integration – Connectivity and Integration
refer to the features and technologies that allow Android
devices to interact with other devices, networks, and
systems seamlessly.
7. Security Components – Security is a critical component of
the Android ecosystem, aiming to protect user data,
devices, and applications from threats such as malware,
unauthorized access, and data breaches.
8. Alternate Versions – Alternate Versions of Android refer to
different versions, custom builds, or adaptations of the
core Android operating system that are designed to cater to
specific device types, markets, or user needs.
9. Ecosystem Extension – Ecosystem Extension refers to the
various ways in which Android interacts with,
integrates, and extends its functionality across different
platforms, devices, and technologies. This includes
connectivity with other operating systems, integration with
services, and the ability to operate across a range of
devices and use cases beyond smartphones.
10. User Engagement Components - User Engagement Components
refer to the tools, features, and strategies that Android
provides to enhance user interaction, retention, and
satisfaction.
Android Architecture –

/ Applica on

/ Applica ons Framework

System
Runtime
Layer

1. Applications
An application is the top layer of the android architecture.
The pre-installed applications like camera, gallery, home,
contacts, etc., and third-party applications downloaded from
the play store like games, chat applications, etc., will be
installed on this layer.
2. Application framework
Application Framework provides several important classes used
to create an Android application. Generally, it provides the
services with the help of which we can create a particular
class and make that class helpful for the Applications
creation.
The Android framework includes the following key services:
o Activity Manager: Controls all aspects of the application
lifecycle and activity stack.
o Location Manager : Provides the geographic location and
positioning function services.
o Package Manager : Manage all applications installed .
o Notifications Manager: Allows applications to display
alerts and notifications to the user.
o Resource Manager: Provides access to non-code embedded
resources such as strings, colour settings and user
interface layouts.
o Telephony Manager – Manages all mobile device functions.
o Window Manager – Manages all open windows.
o Content Providers: Allows applications to publish and share
data with other applications.
o View System: Build the essential view components of an
application.
3. System runtime Layer
1. C/C++ Library
The C/C++ library can be used by different Android
system components and provides developers service
through the application framework.

Library Description

OpenGL ES 3D drawing function library

Standard C system function library inherited

Libc from BSD, specially customized for embedded
Linux-based devices
Library Description

Multimedia library supports recording and

Media
playback of various commonly used audio and
Framework
video formats.

SQLite The lightweight relational database engine

SGL The underlying 2D graphics rendering engine

The secure socket layer is a security protocol

SSL that provides security and data integrity for
network communications

Portable font engine, it provides a unified

FreeType interface to access a variety of font format
files

2. Android Runtime Library – Android Runtime Library is

divided into the core library and ART .
The core library provides most of the Java language core
library functions so that developers can use the Java
language to create Android Applications.
The ART is Java Virtual Machine (JVM) or Dalvik Virtual
Machine (DVM) is a register-based virtual machine
designed and optimized for Android to ensure that a
device can run multiple instances efficiently.
It depends on the layer Linux kernel for threading and
low-level memory management. The core libraries enable
us to implement android applications using the
standard JAVA or Kotlin programming languages.
4. Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)
The hardware abstraction layer is the interface between the
operating system kernel and the hardware circuit. Its purpose
is to abstract the hardware. To protect the intellectual
property rights of hardware manufacturers, it hides the
hardware interface details of a specific platform and
provides a virtual hardware platform for the operating
system. So that it has hardware independence, it can be
transplanted on various platforms.
5. Linux Kernel
Linux Kernel is the heart of the android architecture. It
manages all the available drivers such as display, camera,
Bluetooth, audio, memory, etc., required during the runtime.
The Linux Kernel will provide an abstraction layer between
the device hardware and the other android architecture
components. It is responsible for the management of memory,
power, devices etc.