Architecture of IOS
Architecture of IOS
Apps talk with the hardware through a collection of well defined system interfaces. These
interfaces make it simple to write apps that work constantly on devices having various hardware
abilities.
Lower layers gives the basic services which all application relies on and higher level layer
gives sophisticated graphics and interface related services.
Apple provides most of its system interfaces in special packages called frameworks. A
framework is a directory that holds a dynamic shared library that is .a files, related resources
like as header files, images, and helper apps required to support that library. Every layer
have a set of Framework which the developer use to construct the applications.
1. Core OS Layer:
The Core OS layer holds the low level features that most other technologies are built upon.
64-Bit support from IOS7 supports the 64 bit app development and enables the application to run
faster.
2. Core Services Layer
Some of the Important Frameworks available in the core services layers are detailed:
Cloud Kit framework – Gives a medium for moving data between your app and iCloud.
Core data Framework – Technology for managing the data model of a Model View
Controller app.
Core Foundation framework – Interfaces that gives fundamental data management and
service features for iOS apps.
Core Motion Framework – Access all motion based data available on a device. Using
this core motion framework Accelerometer based information can be accessed.
Foundation Framework – Objective C covering too many of the features found in the
Core Foundation framework
Homekit framework – New framework for talking with and controlling connected
devices in a user’s home.
Social framework – Simple interface for accessing the user’s social media accounts.
StoreKit framework – Gives support for the buying of content and services from inside
your iOS apps, a feature known as In-App Purchase.
3. Media Layer: Graphics, Audio and Video technology is enabled using the Media Layer.
Graphics Framework:
UIKit Graphics – It describes high level support for designing images and also used for
animating the content of your views.
Core Graphics framework – It is the native drawing engine for iOS apps and gives
support for custom 2D vector and image based rendering.
Metal – It permits very high performance for your sophisticated graphics rendering and
computation works. It offers very low overhead access to the A7 GPU.
Audio
Framework:
Media Player Framework – It is a high level framework which gives simple use to a
user’s iTunes library and support for playing playlists.
Video Framework
AV Kit – framework gives a collection of easy to use interfaces for presenting video.
Core Media – framework describes the low level interfaces and data types for operating
media.
EventKit framework – gives view controllers for showing the standard system
interfaces for seeing and altering calendar related events
GameKit Framework – implements support for Game Center which allows users share
their game related information online
iAd Framework – allows you deliver banner-based advertisements from your app.
MapKit Framework – gives a scrollable map that you can include into your user
interface of app.
PushKitFramework – provides registration support for VoIP apps.
Twitter Framework – supports a UI for generating tweets and support for creating
URLs to access the Twitter service.
UIKit Framework – gives vital infrastructure for applying graphical, event-driven apps
in iOS. Some of the Important functions of UI Kit framework:
- Multitasking support.