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Robert Ly35f2fda2013-01-29 16:27:05 -08001page.title=The Android Source Code
2@jd:body
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19<p>
20Android is an open-source software stack created for a wide array of devices
Clay Murphy5d294092013-07-15 15:11:40 -070021with different form factors. The primary purposes of Android are to create an
Robert Ly35f2fda2013-01-29 16:27:05 -080022open software platform available for carriers, OEMs, and developers to make
Clay Murphy5d294092013-07-15 15:11:40 -070023their innovative ideas a reality and to introduce a successful,
24real-world product that improves the mobile experience for users.
Clay Murphy4aa22e82014-12-16 11:21:22 -080025</p>
Robert Ly35f2fda2013-01-29 16:27:05 -080026
Clay Murphy4aa22e82014-12-16 11:21:22 -080027<p>
Clay Murphy5d294092013-07-15 15:11:40 -070028We also wanted to make sure there was
Robert Ly35f2fda2013-01-29 16:27:05 -080029no central point of failure, where one industry player could restrict or
30control the innovations of any other. The result is a full, production-quality
Clay Murphy5d294092013-07-15 15:11:40 -070031consumer product with source code open for customization and porting.
Robert Ly35f2fda2013-01-29 16:27:05 -080032</p>
33
Clay Murphy4aa22e82014-12-16 11:21:22 -080034<div class="figure" style="width:700px">
35 <img src="{@docRoot}images/android_framework_details.png" alt="Android framework details" height="483px" />
36 <p class="img-caption">
37 <strong>Figure 1.</strong> Android stack
38 </p>
39</div>
Robert Ly35f2fda2013-01-29 16:27:05 -080040
Clay Murphy4aa22e82014-12-16 11:21:22 -080041<h2 id="governance-philosophy">Governance Philosophy</h2>
Robert Ly35f2fda2013-01-29 16:27:05 -080042<p>Android was originated by a group of companies known as the Open
43Handset Alliance, led by Google. Today, many companies -- both original members
Clay Murphy5d294092013-07-15 15:11:40 -070044of the OHA and others -- have invested heavily in Android. These companies have
45allocated significant engineering resources to improve Android and bring Android
46devices to market.
Robert Ly35f2fda2013-01-29 16:27:05 -080047</p>
Clay Murphy5d294092013-07-15 15:11:40 -070048<p>The companies that have invested in Android have done so on its merits
49because we believe an open platform is necessary. Android is
50intentionally and explicitly an open-source -- as opposed to a free software --
51effort; a group of organizations with shared needs has pooled
Robert Ly35f2fda2013-01-29 16:27:05 -080052resources to collaborate on a single implementation of a shared product.
53The Android philosophy is pragmatic, first and foremost. The objective is
54a shared product that each contributor can tailor and customize.</p>
55
56<p>Uncontrolled customization can, of course, lead to incompatible
57implementations. To prevent this, the Android Open Source Project also maintains the <a href="{@docRoot}compatibility/index.html">Android
58Compatibility Program</a>, which spells out what it means to be "Android
Clay Murphy5d294092013-07-15 15:11:40 -070059compatible" and what is required of device builders to achieve that status.
Robert Ly35f2fda2013-01-29 16:27:05 -080060Anyone can (and will!) use the Android source code for any purpose, and we
Clay Murphy5d294092013-07-15 15:11:40 -070061welcome all legitimate uses. However, in order to take part in the shared
62ecosystem of applications we are building around Android, device builders
Robert Ly35f2fda2013-01-29 16:27:05 -080063must participate in the Android Compatibility Program.</p>
64
65<p>The Android Open Source Project is led by Google, who
66maintains and further develops Android.
67Although Android consists of multiple subprojects, this is strictly a
68project management technique. We view and manage Android as a single,
69holistic software product, not a "distribution", specification, or collection
70of replaceable parts. Our intent is that device builders port
71Android to a device; they don't implement a specification or curate a
Clay Murphy5d294092013-07-15 15:11:40 -070072distribution.</p>