Software Engineering at Google provides an insider’s look into how Google approaches large-scale software development. Unlike books that focus solely on coding practices, this book explores the principles, processes, and culture that enable Google to build and maintain some of the world's most complex software systems. The authors, all seasoned engineers at Google, share hard-earned lessons about scalability, team collaboration, and the long-term sustainability of software projects.

This book delves into key topics such as the lifecycle of software development, code review culture, testing strategies, automation, and the importance of documentation. It also covers Google's approach to engineering productivity, fostering innovation, and managing the trade-offs that come with rapid growth and change. Through real-world case studies and examples, the book provides practical guidance for software engineers and leaders who want to build robust and scalable systems.

Why Read This Book

• Gain a deep understanding of software engineering principles beyond coding.
• Learn how Google manages large-scale software development with best practices.
• Understand the importance of culture, collaboration, and long-term thinking in software projects.
• Get insights into Google's approach to testing, automation, and engineering productivity.
• Improve your ability to design scalable, maintainable, and resilient software systems.

About the Authors

Titus Winters is a Senior Staff Software Engineer at Google, where he has spent over a decade improving the maintainability of Google’s vast codebase. He is a recognized expert in large-scale software engineering, particularly in API design, coding standards, and automated testing. He also leads Google's C++ Code Health project, ensuring long-term sustainability in software projects.Hyrum Wright is a software engineer at Google specializing in software maintenance and large-scale refactoring. He is known for Hyrum’s Law, which describes the unintended consequences of software dependencies over time. Wright has contributed to multiple large-scale software initiatives, helping teams improve code quality and development practices. Tom Manshreck is a Technical Writer and Software Engineer at Google. His expertise lies in software documentation, tooling, and developer productivity. He has played a key role in shaping Google’s internal documentation culture, ensuring that software engineering best practices are well-documented and accessible.