Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/20pdf/18-956_d18f.pdf
Page Number: 41.0

Cite as:  593 U. S. ____ (2021) 

37 

Opinion of the Court
Appendix to opinion of the Court 

APPENDIXES 
A 
Computer System Diagram 

Some readers might find it helpful to start with an expla-
nation of what a “software platform” is.  Put simply, a soft-
ware platform collects all of the software tools that a pro-
grammer  may  need  to  build  computer  programs.    The 
Android platform, for instance, includes an “operating sys-
tem,” “core libraries,” and a “virtual machine,” among other 
tools.  App. 197–198.

The diagram below illustrates the general features of a
standard computer system, with the dotted line reflecting
the  division  between  a  computer’s  hardware  and  its  soft-
ware.  (It is not intended to reflect any specific technology
at issue in this case.) 

J. Garrido & R. Schlesinger, Principles of Modern Operat-
ing  Systems  8  (2008)  (“Figure  1.4.  An  External  View  of  a
Computer System”).