How do you select a programming language for developing a product at Google?

Question

When deciding on a programming language to build a product at Google, what factors and considerations should be taken into account to ensure the language aligns with the product's requirements, the team's expertise, and Google's technical ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Selecting a programming language for developing a product at Google involves multiple considerations to align with the product's requirements, the team's expertise, and Google's technical ecosystem. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. **Product Requirements**: 
   - **Performance**: Evaluate if the language can meet the performance needs of the product. For instance, C++ or Go might be selected for high-performance requirements.
   - **Scalability**: Consider how well the language supports large-scale systems. Java and Go are often chosen for their scalability.
   - **Reliability and Security**: Ensure the language supports robust error handling and security features. Languages with strong type systems like Java or Go can enhance reliability.

2. **Team Expertise**:
   - Assess the current skill set of the team. Choosing a language the team is already proficient in can accelerate development and reduce onboarding time.
   - If a new language is introduced, consider the learning curve and provide necessary training resources.

3. **Integration and Ecosystem**:
   - **Compatibility with Existing Infrastructure**: It’s important to choose a language that integrates well with Google’s established tools and infrastructure. Python and Java are widely used at Google and have strong ecosystem support.
   - **Library and Framework Support**: Evaluate the availability of libraries and frameworks that can accelerate development (e.g., TensorFlow in Python for machine learning tasks).
   - **Ease of Deployment**: Consider how the language will affect the deployment process within Google’s existing systems.

4. **Community and Support**:
   - Opt for languages with strong community support and comprehensive documentation to ensure continuous support and evolution.
   - A vibrant community often means better tool availability and faster issue resolution.

5. **Long-term Viability and Maintenance**:
   - Consider the language's long-term viability and how it fits with Google's ongoing and future technological direction.
   - Assess how the language will impact maintenance overhead over the product's lifecycle.

6. **Innovation and Experimentation**:
   - Sometimes, innovative projects may require experimenting with newer languages that offer unique capabilities, even if they're not widely adopted yet within Google.

By carefully evaluating these factors, teams at Google can choose programming languages that not only meet immediate project needs but also strategically align with long-term goals and the broader technical ecosystem.

How do you select a programming language for developing a product at Google?

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