overview
In the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) source code, the frameworks/base/packages and packages/apps directories both contain applications in the Android system, but they have some differences in nature and purpose:
1，frameworks/base/packages
- The frameworks/base directory contains the core framework code of the Android system.
- The frameworks/base/packages subdirectory contains code for system-level applications or services that are part of the Android system and closely related to the system's core functions and frameworks.
- These applications usually provide system-level functions, such as telephony applications (Telephony), multimedia frameworks (MediaProvider), system settings (Settings), etc.
2，packages/apps
- The packages/apps directory contains code for user-level applications that are typically part of the Android operating system but are not core components of the system.
- These applications usually include user interface applications such as calendars, contacts, text messages, browsers, cameras, etc.
- User-level applications can usually be upgraded and updated through the Google Play Store or other means, while system-level applications are usually distributed with the release of the operating system.
Summarize
In short, the frameworks/base/packages directory contains part of the core framework of the Android system. The applications and services in it are part of the system and are closely related to the core functions. The packages/apps directory contains user-level applications, common applications and tools provided to users but not core components of the Android operating system. The applications in these two directories differ in nature and functionality, but both form part of the Android operating system.
