Bionic
Android's C standard library, math library, and dynamic linker implementation.
What is Bionic?
Bionic is Android's implementation of the C standard library (libc), math library (libm), and dynamic linker. It provides the low-level system interfaces and runtime environment required for native Android applications to interact with the Linux kernel and hardware. It solves the problem of providing a lightweight, performant, and standards-compliant C library tailored for Android's architecture and security model.
Android platform developers, system programmers, and maintainers working on the Android OS or building native Android applications that require direct system-level access.
Developers choose Bionic because it is the official, optimized C library for Android, ensuring full compatibility with Android's kernel and security features. Its integration of upstream BSD code provides reliability, while custom components address Android-specific requirements like dynamic linking and system call handling.
Overview
Bionic is the C library, math library, and dynamic linker developed for the Android operating system. It provides the foundational system interfaces and runtime environment for native Android applications, ensuring compatibility with POSIX standards and the Linux kernel.
Key Features
- C Library (libc) — Implements standard C functions like
fopenandkill, along with system call wrappers. - Math Library (libm) — Provides mathematical functions such as
sinandcosin a separate shared library. - Dynamic Linker (linker) — Loads ELF executables and resolves symbols for dynamically-linked Android applications.
- C++ ABI Support (libstdc++) — Supplies thread-safe static initialization and other C++ runtime support functions.
- Upstream Code Integration — Incorporates unmodified source from FreeBSD, NetBSD, and OpenBSD for proven implementations.
- Comprehensive Testing — Includes unit tests, benchmarks, and compatibility tests against glibc and musl.
Philosophy
Bionic prioritizes correctness, performance, and adherence to standards while being tailored to Android's unique constraints and kernel interfaces. It balances using upstream BSD code where possible with custom implementations for Android-specific needs.
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