Android 'rooted' firmware

[NickC_UK]

I am having a bit of trouble understanding this whole concept of using 'rooted' firmware on Android devices. Now I understand Linux just fine and I know what the root user is but why do Android devices need hacked firmware to allow a user to su to root?

Why doesn't Android work like other Linux distros whereby multiple users exist and 'root' is just another user which can be logged on. What about the 'su' command to switch a terminal session to root, does that command exist on Android devices?

Thanks,

[mitchell4you]

The days where you could login as root are gone ( for security )

But yes, su and sudo are available in android/linux terminal

Root is needed for example to enable,
Multi-user-support, device-spoofing, overclocking, add drivers, add firwall, remove ch apps, tweaking, enable gps epo, vold.fstab mod, swap space mod, add init.d, enable dolby/dts passthrough, create a full backup, ........
In android

The down site.. if you screw-up,
Then you can brick you unit ( like i almost did installing busybox x+ on a allwinner unit)
--make sure you have a backup or a stock-firmware..

Cheers

[NickC_UK]

Then you can brick you unit ( like i almost did installing busybox x+ on a allwinner unit)
--make sure you have a backup or a stock-firmware..

So if it goes wrong and the unit is bricked can it still be flashed back to original firmware? If not can the BIOS chip be replaced with a new one.