An Overview and Hands‑On Guide to Developing with HarmonyOS (Huawei’s Multi‑Device OS)

Introduction

The author shares a personal take on Huawei’s HarmonyOS, describing it as an all‑scenario, future‑oriented operating system designed for seamless interaction among a wide range of devices.

Why Talk About HarmonyOS?

Amid growing hype and criticism, the author argues that technology evolves and developers must adapt or risk being left behind.

What Is HarmonyOS?

In a nutshell, HarmonyOS is positioned as a unified, future‑ready, IoT‑centric OS.

An illustrative diagram (originally shown as an image) helps visualize its architecture.

Key Characteristics

Unified OS, Elastic Deployment – A single OS runs on devices from earphones to cars and smart screens, enabling a common language across hardware.

Hardware Cooperation, Resource Sharing – Devices running HarmonyOS form a “super terminal” where capabilities are shared, allowing simple interactions such as controlling a speaker directly from a phone.

One‑Code, Multi‑Device Deployment – Developers write logic once and deploy it to many terminals via a distributed application framework.

Cross‑Platform Application Freedom – HarmonyOS atomic services are lightweight, composable, and support installation‑free usage, simplifying app development.

Simple Activation of Device Intelligence – The OS provides a unified language for device interconnection, enabling features like “one‑tap networking” and visualized operations.

Comparison with Android

Kernel Design

Android uses a monolithic Linux kernel where a single module failure can crash the whole system. HarmonyOS adopts a microkernel approach, isolating non‑core modules to improve stability, and combines both Linux and LiteOS kernels for different device categories.

Performance

Android apps run on a virtual machine, limiting direct hardware communication. HarmonyOS leverages the Ark compiler, allowing compiled software to run natively and communicate directly with the OS, resulting in faster execution.

Platform Foundations

Both systems are built on the Android Open Source Project ( AOSP ). While many manufacturers customize AOSP, Huawei extends it with its own services (HMS) and UI to create HarmonyOS.

Device Connectivity

Android requires separate apps for each peripheral, making pairing and usage cumbersome. HarmonyOS enables minimal code to invoke third‑party hardware, aiming for a seamless “single‑device” experience.

Is HarmonyOS Just an Android Shell?

The author refutes the “shell” claim, explaining that although both draw from AOSP , Huawei contributes to the codebase and adds distinct services, kernels, and a distributed bus, making HarmonyOS more than a simple wrapper.

Policy and Market Context

Government support for Huawei suggests strategic importance for HarmonyOS. Salary data indicates that HarmonyOS development roles can command comparable or higher compensation than Android positions.

Impact on Front‑End Developers

For front‑end engineers, HarmonyOS could represent a growth opportunity, especially if Huawei fully phases out AOSP in the upcoming HarmonyOS Next release, potentially creating a demand surge for native HarmonyOS skills.

Getting Started – Hands‑On Tutorial

The author outlines a step‑by‑step process:

Register on the HarmonyOS developer portal and complete real‑name verification.

Download and install the latest HUAWEI DevEco Studio and SDK.

Launch the IDE, accept default settings, and create a new project (e.g., FirstApp ).

Run the project on a simulated P50 device or a local emulator to see the “Hello World” output.

Make minor code changes and redeploy to observe updates.

Several screenshots (originally embedded images) illustrate each step.

Conclusion

HarmonyOS offers a unified, distributed platform that differs from Android in kernel design, performance, and device integration. While still evolving, it presents a promising niche for developers willing to learn its native tools and paradigms.