AOSP 15 Learning RoadMap

AOSP 15 Learning Roadmap

BEGINNER

• Android Architecture Overview
  Learn Android layers: Apps, Framework, HAL, Kernel
  Resource: Android Developer Guide
  Difficulty: ⭐ | Est. Time: 2–3 hrs
  💡 Tips & Notes

  • Focus on the role of the Linux kernel in Android.
  • Understand the separation between app and framework layers.
  • Draw architecture diagrams to visualize interactions.
• Setting Up AOSP Build Environment
  Install Ubuntu 22.04, dependencies, repo tool, and sync source
  Resource: AOSP Setup Guide
  Difficulty: ⭐⭐ | Est. Time: 3–5 hrs
  💡 Tips & Notes

  • Allocate at least 200 GB disk space for source and build output.
  • Set up ccache to speed up rebuilds.
  • Keep a record of all environment variables for reproducibility.
• Building AOSP for Emulator
  Lunch, build, and run with launch_cvd (Cuttlefish)
  Resource: Cuttlefish Docs
  Difficulty: ⭐⭐ | Est. Time: 3–6 hrs
  💡 Tips & Notes

  • Use `m` for partial builds during iterative testing.
  • Verify `/dev/kvm` for virtualization support.
  • Document build flags and options for consistency.

INTERMEDIATE

• Understanding System Services
  Explore Binder, HAL, and native services
  Resource: System Architecture Docs
  Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ | Est. Time: 4–6 hrs
  💡 Tips & Notes

  • Start with Binder communication basics between processes.
  • Experiment with modifying a simple HAL module.
  • Log service outputs to trace behavior.
• Modifying Framework Code
  Add a simple feature or tweak system UI
  Resource: Framework Docs
  Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ | Est. Time: 6–8 hrs
  💡 Tips & Notes

  • Use `repo sync` carefully to avoid overwriting changes.
  • Build specific modules to save time.
  • Keep a separate branch for experiments.
• Running and Debugging Emulator
  Use adb, logcat, and device monitor
  Resource: Logcat Guide
  Difficulty: ⭐⭐ | Est. Time: 3–4 hrs
  💡 Tips & Notes

  • Set filters to focus on your module logs.
  • Use `adb shell` for direct device inspection.
  • Monitor CPU, memory, and storage usage for performance tuning.

ADVANCED

• Custom ROM Modifications
  Change build.prop, system apps, or add new APKs
  Resource: Build Customization Docs
  Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Est. Time: 5–8 hrs
  💡 Tips & Notes

  • Always back up your AOSP build before making changes.
  • Test on emulator first before real device deployment.
  • Keep track of commit history to revert if needed.
• Integrating Hardware Drivers
  Add or update HAL for custom device components
  Resource: Hardware Docs
  Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Est. Time: 6–10 hrs
  💡 Tips & Notes

  • Check kernel compatibility before adding drivers.
  • Compile drivers separately for testing.
  • Use logs to confirm proper hardware initialization.

EXPERT

• Android Internals & Security
  SELinux policies, system security, and low-level debugging
  Resource: Security Docs
  Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Est. Time: 8–12 hrs
  💡 Tips & Notes

  • Understand SELinux modes: permissive vs enforcing.
  • Trace system calls for security analysis.
  • Keep a separate test environment for risky experiments.
• Performance Tuning & Profiling
  Optimize CPU, memory, storage, and app performance
  Resource: Profiling Guide
  Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Est. Time: 6–10 hrs
  💡 Tips & Notes

  • Use `systrace` and `perfetto` for deep performance metrics.
  • Benchmark before and after changes.
  • Profile both emulator and real devices for comparison.
• Contributing to AOSP
  Submit patches, participate in code reviews, maintain modules
  Resource: Contributing Guide
  Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Est. Time: Variable
  💡 Tips & Notes

  • Follow AOSP commit and review guidelines strictly.
  • Start with small bug fixes or documentation improvements.
  • Maintain a clean Git history for your contributions.