What is the purpose of the AndroidManifest.xml file in an Android application?

The AndroidManifest.xml file is a crucial component of an Android application as it serves several important purposes:

1. App Permissions: It specifies the permissions that the application needs to access certain features or data on the device, ensuring user privacy and security.
2. App Components Declaration: It declares the various components of the application such as activities, services, broadcast receivers, and content providers.
3. App Configuration: It defines the configuration settings for the application, including the minimum SDK version required, theme styles, application icon, and more.
4. App Metadata: It includes metadata about the application, such as the app name, package name, version number, and entry points for the application.
5. App Intent Filters: It specifies the intent filters for activities and services, which define how the application responds to external requests and interactions.

Overall, the AndroidManifest.xml file plays a crucial role in defining the structure, behavior, and requirements of an Android application, making it an essential file for developers to configure and manage.