The interviewer is checking whether you understand Android as more than a phone operating system. A good answer distinguishes the Linux-based operating-system foundation from the application platform that developers build on.
If the interviewer asks you to elaborate, explain Android from the bottom up. Linux provides the operating system foundation, while the Android Runtime, Framework, and system services build the application platform that apps rely on.
Android uses the Linux kernel for low-level responsibilities such as process scheduling, memory management, networking, security, and device drivers. Above it, Android provides the runtime, framework APIs, and system services used by applications.
Your applicationActivities, services, UI, and application code
↓
Android Framework and system servicesThe APIs and services applications use
↓
Android Runtime and native librariesCode execution, graphics, media, storage, and more
↓
Linux kernelProcesses, memory, security, networking, and device drivers
A simplified view of where an Android application sits in the platform.
ART and application startup are natural follow-up topics rather than part of the opening answer.
The interviewer is checking whether you understand Android as more than a phone operating system. A good answer distinguishes the Linux-based operating-system foundation from the application platform that developers build on.
If the interviewer asks you to elaborate, explain Android from the bottom up. Linux provides the operating system foundation, while the Android Runtime, Framework, and system services build the application platform that apps rely on.
Android uses the Linux kernel for low-level responsibilities such as process scheduling, memory management, networking, security, and device drivers. Above it, Android provides the runtime, framework APIs, and system services used by applications.
Your applicationActivities, services, UI, and application code
↓
Android Framework and system servicesThe APIs and services applications use
↓
Android Runtime and native librariesCode execution, graphics, media, storage, and more
↓
Linux kernelProcesses, memory, security, networking, and device drivers
A simplified view of where an Android application sits in the platform.
ART and application startup are natural follow-up topics rather than part of the opening answer.
