The simple path first
Search a place
The user types an address, business, or landmark.
Find the location
Geocoding turns the text into coordinates and a map pin.
Plan the route
The engine checks roads, turns, traffic, and travel time.
Reroute live
If traffic changes, the route updates before the user gets stuck.
What happens after the tap
Search, map, route, then reroute
Why the order matters
Google Maps is a combination of search and navigation. It has to find the place, render the map, understand the road graph, and keep refreshing the route as new traffic information arrives.
What the main layers are doing
Search and geocoding
What it is: The layer that turns words into coordinates.
How it is used: Google Maps accepts names and addresses, then resolves them into a point on the map.
Why it fits: Without geocoding, the app cannot even start navigation.
Map rendering
What it is: The visual layer that draws roads, labels, and places.
How it is used: Tiles and vectors keep the map responsive while the user pans and zooms.
Why it fits: A navigation app must be readable before it is clever.
Routing engine
What it is: The part that chooses the best path across the road graph.
How it is used: The engine weighs distance, turn cost, and traffic conditions.
Why it fits: A route is a decision problem, not just a line on a map.
Traffic feedback
What it is: The live update layer for congestion and delays.
How it is used: Google Maps keeps re-checking the route when the road picture changes.
Why it fits: Rerouting is what turns a map into a navigation product.