Android
operating system is a stack of software components which is roughly
divided into five sections and four main layers as shown below in the android architecture diagram.
Linux
kernel
At
the bottom of the layers is Linux - Linux 2.6 with approximately 115
patches. This provides basic system functionality like process
management, memory management, device management like camera, keypad,
display etc. Also, the kernel handles all the things that Linux is
really good at such as networking and a vast array of device drivers,
which take the pain out of interfacing to peripheral hardware.
Libraries
On
top of Linux kernel there is a set of libraries including open-source
Web browser engine WebKit, well known library libc, SQLite database
which is a useful repository for storage and sharing of application
data, libraries to play and record audio and video, SSL libraries
responsible for Internet security etc.
