Android application development has been the hype since the announcement of the platform, and has made several claims in relation to characteristics of open source. Because of this, many users of standard smartphone made his leap to Android hoping that it would experience open in the same way they had in their Linux machines. The question is if or the open source platform has not fulfilled his promises.
What is the definition of open source? In the world of software development, it is when the software is distributed under a license that gives users the freedom to modify the code, reuse for their purposes and redistribute it. The principles of open source software development is based on a community approach where groups of people collaborating in the development process, often on a voluntary basis. Sometimes, developers are also the end users. The work that make not only benefits them long term, but also the community as a whole.
The platform Android is open in connection with the fact that a user may download the code and do what they want with it. Modifications can be made and they can upload these changes to their phones. However, there is no transparency in the development of the OS happening behind the scenes. There he also lacks a development community where individual developers are contributing to the project on a regular basis. The developers are to take what Google offers with each version of the software.
While Google is doing least to release Android as open, they are not barriers only to a truly open development environment. Telephone companies have kept a strict control over their devices and release with the operating system Android blocked. Their reasoning is that they believe that a truly open development environment would be a serious threat to the network and existing telephone services. The theory is that a skilled programmer could potentially hijack part or all of a network. Is this possible? It is certainly a matter of debate, and many people believe that these theories are unfounded.
Android application development is not completely restricted to Google parameters. Many have found root hacks that allow more access to software, and Google does not keep users about how short a leash as Apple maintains its iOS developers. With that is the case, many have found that work with Android provides even more freedom to develop for the iPhone.
While Android is technically open, Google still has a great balance in the process of independent development. However, this does not has hampered the growth of the Android smartphone and its popularity among consumers. Open or not, the demand for development of Android applications will continue to grow and flourish under the existing development environment.
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