[Sony Xperia P, U, Sola, Go] Anthrax:
Some of the terminologies for noobs or someone new to android platform

;) :D​

Sources:

1) First Source

2) Second Source

Please let me know if I have missed something or something stated below is wrong!!!!

1- Android:

Android refers to the concept of a humanoid“robot”, and on November 5, 2007, Google announced this to be the name of the open source mobile operating system based on the Linux platform. The platform's operating system, middle-ware, user interface, and application software composition was known as the first mobile terminal to create a truly complete and open mobile software system. Similar to the iPhone, the Android WebKit browser was enabled with touch screen, advanced graphics, and internet functionality. Users can use the phone to check their email, search the web,and watch videos online. In comparison to the systems that came before it such as the iPhone, the Android system was a single integrated platform for the entire Web service instead of having a more centralized focus on search functions such as that included in the iPhone browser.

2- Open-source:

Open-source is software that anyone is allowed to see the 'source' code. In the context of Android, Open-source refers to the approach to the design, development, and distribution of software. This offers accessibility to a software's source code for modification, improvement, bug-fixing, and security-enhancement. CyanogenMod is based on this principle.

3- AOSP:

Android Open Source Project

4- APK:

APK or Android Package, is an acronym that refers to an Android installation package that is programmed in the Android phone's file format. Similar to the APK format, the Nokia phones used to use sisx, sis, and jar formats to install the packaged files. APK files can be installed via the phone, through USB, or through installing auxiliary programs on your computer.

5- ROM:

ROM in this case refers to the device firmware (in simple words, this is the mobile operating system installation package) for mobile devices such as the Android system, the iPhone iOS, and Windows mobile phones. In order to install a new ROM to a mobile device, the device must first be unlocked before the ROM can be flashed to the device. “Flashing” refers to writing a new ROM to a mobile device by replacing the firmware with a new firmware.

6- RAM:

RAM or Random Access Memory is a storage partition of the phone that is used to store and preserve temporary data. It can read and write at any time, and RAM is usually the temporary storage medium for the operating system or other programs that are running. (referred to as system memory)

7- Recovery:

Recovery can be reached through the VOLUME UP continuously pressed, and is often referred to as recovery mode. Simply put, Recovery is a flashing interface. You can choose to install the system recovery interface, ghost backup your system, restore your system, or many other things. Flashing a recovery and flashing a ROM do not conflict with each other. In this mode you can carry out a lot of advanced operations,for example, convert partition format, backup, restore, install a patch package, empty non-system data, and format the partitions, among other things.This mode is very powerful. There is some operating risks, so be careful when performing these actions.

CWM related options for instance, are explained below:

-Reboot system: now restart the phone

-Apply sdcard: update.zip update.zip installation root directory of the SD

-Wipe data / factory reset to clear user data, restore factory settings

-Wipe cache partition to clear the cache

-Install zip from sdcard install zip from SD card

-Backup and restore backup and recovery

-Mounts and storage mount memory

etc.

8- Root:

Root privileges can be likened to the Windows system's Administrator privileges. The Root Super Android system administrator user account has sovereign rights to the entire system. This account is able to modify and operate all objects on the device. Systems cannot be changed or revised unless it is through the Root permissions.

9- adb:

Adb or Android Debug Bridge can be used through Eclipse DDMS to debug Android applications. In fact, the Google Android system uses these debugging tools. In addition to the above feature, we can do adb state management on the device, or use it as a mobile device simulator. It can also be used to enter the various states of the phone such as the recovery,installation programs, copy files, or even run the shell.

10- External SD Memory:

The technical name for this type of memory is “built-in non-volatile mass memory”, but is more commonly known as ROM or Read Only Memory. Obviously, this type of memory is not actually read only, or else we wouldn't be able to make changes to the internal memory, and smartphones would simply be pretty bricks with call functions.

External SD Memory (abbreviated SD Card) are memory storage devices that are bought separately from the mobile devices, and can be inserted into the device to increase on board storage space.

11- Firmware:

Programs stored in the ROM, EPROM, or flash memory that usually control various internal electronic devices (Hard Drives, Keyboards, Displays, etc). Firmware is typically 'fixed' software that is not updated in consumer devices, however it is often updated (or 'flashed') by advanced users to fix bugs or add features to the device. Flashing firmware designed for one device onto a different device, or not following a specific procedure while flashing will often render the device unusable.

12- Kernel:

The kernel is the basic component of the operating system.It is the part of the software that provides secure access to the computer hardware for many applications. The kernel can decide which functions are restricted or limited for each program or application, and the time frames that each process can use hardware.

13- FC:

Short for Force-close or forcibly closed, this is mainly an error that occurs when a program encounters a fatal error and needs to terminate the process.

14- Phone is “bricked”:

Cell phone enthusiasts jokingly refer to the failed flashing of a rom to a mobile device and the subsequent disabling of the phone’s boot processes as “bricking” the phone. If this is manufacturer induced, the phone becomes useless – a veritable “brick” of useless hardware and circuitry.Thankfully, if the “bricking” of the phone is only due to the improper installation of the new system, you can fix the issue through the bootstrapped recovery interfaces.

15- Android Play Store:

The Android Play Store or Play Store is the hub for all developed applications for the Android platform. It can be directly compared to the Apple App Store, and includes a vast majority of the apps that are found inits Apple counterpart. Users can browse, download, and install all types of applications, and while many are free, there are also many that are paid, so this provides an incentive for many major media companies to develop for Android in order to increase profits.

16- CM:

CM stands for CyanogenMod, which was founded by Steve Kondikin 2009. CyanogenMod is a launcher shell for Android and can be flashed from Rom. Currently, CM is available in CM7, CM9, and the beta CM10 versions.

17- Flash Memory:

This is memory that comes with specialized storage such as on mobile devices with items that are already pre loaded such as applications,pictures, music, etc. Under normal conditions, these types of memory are read-only, and will not allow users to overwrite preexisting data.

18- Restoring factory settings:

Restoring factory settings will erase all user settings on the mobile device, so before performing this action, it is recommended to backup all user data. This process rewrites the current ROM on your mobile device with the stock ROM that the device originally came preloaded with. Depending on which maker or system, restoring factory settings will erase user settings,installed software, or some combination of both.

19- OTA:

OTA refers to “Over the Air” updates. These updates are usually downloaded using a data connection as opposed to the normal WiFidownload. The point of these types of updates is that they can be downloaded at any time.

20- Fastboot:

Fastboot literally means starting quickly. In fact, fastboot is a special method of booting the phone through the computer that can allow the user to access a streamlined set of options that increase the efficiency of performing some processes.

21- Superuser:

A superuser is a root permission management software. This software is designed to help you manage which applications on your device have root permissions in order to avoid any unintentional damage to your device from malicious or untrusted applications.

22- APP to SD, APP2SD:

Some Android systems have the option to move application data from the internal memory to the SD card, and still be able to effectively run the programs. This method can also be used to transfer app data to and from phones without having to re-input all previously entered data. Another use for APP2SD is that by moving app data to the SD card, it frees internal memory from clutter and improve phone speeds.

23- Busybox:

A set of Unix tools / commands that has been compiled for use on your phone. These are not usually full-featured versions of the Unix commands found on the larger platforms counterparts, but they are pretty close and useful nonetheless.

24- Bloatware:

Software or 'apps' that you don't need, but come pre installed to a device's /system partition, meaning that you cannot remove them unless the device has been rooted. Usually, these are apps are sponsored by a company and included by a carrier for profit. For example, the Photobucket app included on the G2 by TMobile.

25- Dalvik-Cache:

The dalvik-cache directory holds all of the pre-compiled .dex files created from installed apps. These files are static and do not change unless the app is updated.

26- Google Apps (GApps):

An add-on for Google's applications (Market, GMail etc.), packaged separately to avoid copyright issues

27- Logcat:

A debugging tool built into Android devices that displays system logs as they occur.

28- NANDroid:

A set of tools that will enable anyone who has root on their Android device to make FULL system backups, in case something goes wrong or you want to try out that new experimental ROM/theme. NANDroid will backup (and restore) /system, /data, /cache, and /boot partitions.

29- Unlock:

Most GSM devices are locked to only work with the sim cards of a particular carrier. Obtaining root access (e.g. installing CyanogenMod) on the device usually does nothing to the sim-lock. The usual way to unlock the device to all SIM cards is to obtain a subsidy unlock code from a carrier.