Google runs on 5000 times more code than the original space shuttle

Jul 21, 2016

This article is published in collaboration with Business Insider.

A man types on a computer keyboard in Warsaw in this February 28, 2013 illustration file picture. One of the largest ever cyber attacks is slowing global internet services after an organisation blocking "spam" content became a target, with some experts saying the disruption could get worse. To match INTERNET-ATTACK/ REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Files (POLAND - Tags: BUSINESS SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY) - RTXXZVX

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Kif Leswing

Technology Reporter, Business Insider

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You interact with millions of lines of Google code every day, whole lengths of them whirring into action every time you check your gmail or carry out a search.

Google is powered by billions of lines of code. But just how much goes into Google’s internet services might surprise you. The figure is 2 billion — that's 5,000 as many lines of code as the original space shuttle.

Google Chrome also has 135 times as much code as a simple iPhone photo-editing app.

Although nearly all the software we use today has thousands of times as much code as the original Unix operating system, developed by AT&T in 1970, Google still blows its competitors away in terms of sheer length.

Here’s how many lines of code are in your favourite apps and services.

How many lines of code make up popular technologies

Image: Business Insider

How Facebook's code compares to all of Google's internet services

Image: Business Insider

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