The time period refers to a dynamically generated useful resource overlay package deal particularly tailor-made for Android merchandise. These packages include assets designed to customise the looks and habits of functions and the system itself. A major operate is to allow product-specific branding and have variations with out modifying the unique software code. For instance, a tool producer would possibly use this mechanism to change the default colour scheme of the Android settings software to align with their model id.
The creation of those overlay packages provides a number of advantages. It permits environment friendly customization for numerous product configurations derived from a single Android codebase. This reduces the complexity of managing a number of, divergent code branches. Moreover, this method facilitates simpler updates and upkeep, as core software parts stay untouched, separating them from product-specific modifications. Traditionally, this functionality advanced from the necessity for system producers to distinguish their merchandise throughout the more and more aggressive Android ecosystem.