Most used programming language at Google
Most used programming language at Google
Direct Answer
Google uses a variety of programming languages, but the top three most used internally appear to be C++, Java, and Python, in that order. Here's why:
- C++ is likely the most used due to its role in core infrastructure, such as the search engine and Google Chrome, where performance is critical. It's mentioned extensively in style guides and job postings for high-performance systems.
- Java is widely used for Android development and backend services, like Gmail and Google Docs, making it a key language for many of Google's products.
- Python is essential for scripting, automation, machine learning, and data analysis, supporting tools like TensorFlow and appearing frequently in job requirements.
These rankings are based on available information, but exact usage percentages are not public, so there may be some variation depending on specific teams or projects.
Key Languages Identified
Several programming languages are consistently mentioned across sources, with C++, Java, Python, and Go emerging as the most significant. Below is a detailed breakdown based on various indicators:
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C++: Google's C++ Style Guide (Google C++ Style Guide) is one of the most detailed, indicating extensive usage, particularly for performance-critical systems. Articles like What programming languages are used at Google and why? note that C++ is "almost everywhere at Google," used for projects like Chromium (the core of Google Chrome) and search engine infrastructure. Job postings, such as those on iMocha (Skills Required for Google Software Engineer), list C++ as a required skill, reinforcing its importance for high-performance tasks.
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Java: Java is highlighted in job requirements and style guides, with a detailed guide available (Google Java Style Guide). It is the primary language for Android development, a major Google product, and is used in backend services like Gmail and Google Docs, as mentioned in Programming Languages For Job At Google, Meta, Apple. Its object-oriented nature makes it suitable for networking and large-scale enterprise applications, as noted in various sources.
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Python: Python's versatility is evident in its use for scripting, automation, machine learning, and data analysis. The Python Style Guide (Google Python Style Guide) is also detailed, and articles like Use of Python at Google state it is an "official language" alongside C++ and Java, used in internal systems and APIs. Job postings frequently list Python, and its prominence in tools like TensorFlow underscores its importance.
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Go (Golang): Developed by Google, Go is noted for its use in cloud-native applications and microservices, as seen in The Go Programming Language. While important, especially for Google Cloud, its style guide is shorter, suggesting it may not be as widely used as C++, Java, or Python internally, though it ranks high in open-source contributions.
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Other Languages: JavaScript and TypeScript are used for front-end development, particularly for web applications, but their usage is more niche compared to the top three. Languages like Rust and Kotlin are mentioned in specific contexts (e.g., Fuchsia OS, Android), but not as broadly as the primary trio.
Ranking the Top Three
Determining the exact order is challenging due to the lack of public data on internal language distribution. However, based on the following evidence, the ranking is proposed as C++, Java, and Python:
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C++ as the Most Used: Multiple sources, including What is C++ used for at Google?, emphasize C++'s role in core infrastructure, search engine ranking, and performance-critical applications like Google Chrome. Its detailed style guide and frequent mention in job postings suggest it has the largest codebase, likely due to its use in foundational systems.
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Java as Second: Java's dominance in Android development, a major revenue driver, and its use in backend services like Gmail and Stadia, as noted in Top Programming Languages for Google Tech Interviews, place it second. Its object-oriented capabilities make it suitable for large-scale applications, and it is consistently listed in job requirements.
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Python as Third: Python's flexibility for scripting, automation, and machine learning, supported by tools like TensorFlow, makes it essential, as seen in These are the programming languages Google uses. While highly used, its codebase may be smaller than C++ and Java due to its focus on higher-level tasks rather than low-level systems.
Open-Source Contributions vs. Internal Usage
It's worth noting a discrepancy between open-source contributions and internal usage. The OSCI data, as seen in a browse of OSCI – Open Source Contributor Index, shows Python at 26.8%, TypeScript at 10.4%, and Go at 8.1% for Google's open-source contributions, suggesting Python is dominant externally. However, internal usage likely prioritizes C++ for performance-critical systems, as internal discussions and style guides indicate. This difference highlights that open-source activity may not fully reflect internal priorities, especially for core infrastructure.
Supporting Evidence from X Posts and Discussions
X posts provide additional insights. For instance, an X post from @mattn_jp in 2021 mentions Google's top languages as Python, C++, and Go based on GitHub repositories, aligning with internal usage trends. Another post from @charliesbot in 2023 notes TypeScript as the third most used, but this may reflect front-end focus rather than overall usage. These posts, while not official, support the prominence of C++, Python, and Go, with Java also frequently mentioned in job contexts.
Conclusion
Given the evidence, the top three most used programming languages at Google are likely C++, Java, and Python, in that order, based on their roles in core infrastructure, major products, and job requirements. While exact percentages are unavailable, this ranking reflects the consensus from style guides, job postings, and developer discussions, acknowledging the complexity of Google's polyglot approach.
Table: Summary of Language Usage Indicators
| Language | Internal Usage (Inferred) | **Open-Source Contribution (OSCI, %) | Job Postings Mentioned | Style Guide Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C++ | Core infrastructure, Chrome | 6.1% | Yes | Detailed |
| Java | Android, backend services | 6.6% | Yes | Detailed |
| Python | Scripting, ML, data analysis | 26.8% | Yes | Detailed |
| Go | Cloud, microservices | 8.1% | Yes | Short |
| TypeScript | Front-end, web tools | 10.4% | Less frequent | Moderate |
This table summarizes the inferred internal usage, open-source contribution percentages from OSCI, mentions in job postings, and the detail level of style guides, providing a holistic view of language importance at Google.
Key Citations
- Google C++ Style Guide
- What programming languages are used at Google and why?
- Programming Languages For Job At Google, Meta, Apple
- Top Programming Languages for Google Tech Interviews
- These are the programming languages Google uses
- Why Google Stores Billions of Lines of Code in a Single Repository
- OSCI – Open Source Contributor Index
- Skills Required for Google Software Engineer
- Use of Python at Google
- What is C++ used for at Google?