What Software Technology Stack Does Google Use for Core Services?

Google's core services and applications, including Google Plus, rely on a diverse and powerful technology stack. This stack is designed to handle the immense traffic and data processing needs of one of the world's most prominent technology companies.

Core Components of Google's Technology Stack

Joseph Smarr, a Technical Lead on the Google team, provides insights into the core components of Google's technology stack. He explains that Google primarily uses Java servlets for server-side code and JavaScript for the browser-side of user interfaces, built extensively on the open-source Closure framework.

Java Servlets for Server Code

Google's server-side code is largely written in Java servlets, which are part of the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE). Java servlets enable the creation of dynamic web content and form the backbone of many Google services. This technology allows Google to efficiently handle web server requests, process data, and generate content dynamically.

Javascript for Frontend UI

For the frontend user interface, Google utilizes JavaScript, often built upon the Closure framework. The Closure framework, which includes a JavaScript compiler and template system, is crucial for developing highly optimized and maintainable code. This framework plays a significant role in the impressive Circlular animations and sleek user interface of Google Plus and other Google applications.

HTML5 History API and URL Management

Google leverages the HTML5 History API to maintain clean, pretty-looking URLs. This is particularly useful for modern web applications where readability and URL-friendly design are crucial. For older non-HTML5 browsers, Google employs the AJAX-style hash fragments, thus ensuring compatibility while maintaining a clean URL structure.

BigTable, Colossus/GFS, and Other Backend Technologies

The backend of Google's services is built on top of key technologies such as BigTable and Colossus/GFS (Google File System). BigTable is a distributed, column-oriented database designed to handle huge amounts of data. Colossus/GFS, often used interchangeably, is a distributed file system developed by Google. These technologies provide robust storage and data management capabilities necessary for Google's large-scale operations.

MapReduce for Data Processing

Google uses MapReduce, a programming model designed for processing and generating large datasets, in conjunction with other common Google technologies. MapReduce allows for distributed processing of large data sets, making it an indispensable tool for Google's data-intensive operations.

Server-Side Rendering

In addition to the use of JavaScript, Google often renders Closure templates server-side. This approach ensures that pages render before any JavaScript is loaded, providing a smoother user experience. The JavaScript then finds the appropriate DOM nodes and hooks up event handlers, making the interface responsive.

Conclusion

Google's technology stack is highly optimized for performance, scalability, and reliability. The use of Java servlets, JavaScript built on the Closure framework, HTML5 History API, BigTable, Colossus/GFS, and MapReduce reflects the company's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to build and maintain its core services. Understanding these components can provide valuable insights into how one of the world's leading technology companies operates.

References

For more detailed information, you can visit the official Google Plus website or the technical lead's QA session linked below:

Google Plus Technical Details Joseph Smarr - How Google Was Built QA Session

By exploring these resources, you can gain a deeper understanding of the technologies that power Google's core services and applications.