Root common android terms

[Lion Man]

I am new to the whole android rooting community so i just wanted to know what "flash" means. Like as in flashing a radio. Flash to unlock.

Also whats a radio?

 

[ArmchairBear]

In Android terms, "flash" generally means to install something at the system (?) level. You can "flash" an app, like the Google apps. You can "flash" a rom, which is a whole operating system. You can "flash" a different boot animation.

You "flash" something using a "recovery" software, or using an app called "Rom Manager"

Radio usually refers to the firmware that runs the phone's GSM or CDMA radio transmitter/receiver.

Others here would have better/more detailed explanations, this is to the best of my knowledge.

 

[Lion Man]

Thank you mr bear. Helped out a lot

 

[rangeyrd]

Those were exactly my questions -- happy to see such a good succinct answer. Thanks!

 

[Lion Man]

also whats a kernal?

 

[neslot]

Try here:
Linux kernel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

the Linux kernel is the kernel of the computer operating system, or the very 'core.' Other applications and drivers are added to the kernel to provide human user interfaces and usefulness. I have been running Ubuntu Linux on my personal computers for 15 years and now run another form of Linux on my phone...

 

[lucksp]

what is rooting?

 

[neslot]

rooting is giving yourself 'root' access to your phone. This allows you to change how it operates, by installing any ROM you like.