Software Development Practices At Google

prostoalex writes "It's widely known that Google allows its engineers to spend 20% of paid work time on personal projects (that are nevertheless considered property of the company). But how does the practice actually work? Joe Beda provides a helpful insight in his blog, pointing out other interesting software development practices at Google. The code database is open for everyone, the snippets and pieces are documented and one is encouraged to re-use existing code. The intranet is transparent to the max and the company accepts the fact that there's more than way to accomplish something, so a better method is always welcomed. Interesting to note that just like Hawaiian shirt days in Office Space, the 20% per projects are "actively encouraged" - Joe suspects his review ratings might slip if he doesn't have one soon."

Comments

Personal projects?

[Nevtje(hr]

Hang on... we all know majority spend 20% of their time on porn, but labelling it "personal projects".... yeah, could work as an excuse for filling in the efficiency void :)

Transparent to the max?

[tquinlan]

Gnarly dude!

What is this... a 1980s BMX article? ;)

What if you only did 19%?

[OsirisX11]

What if you only did 19%?
Or 18%? 17%? Where do they start saying..
"hey...you need to work less on what you are supposed to and more on your side project."

Re:What if you only did 19%?

[Anonymous Coward]

You know what, Stan, if you want me to wear 37 pieces of flair, like your pretty boy over there Bryan, why don't you make the minimum 37 pieces of flair?

Re:Personal projects?

[SmokeHalo]

It's just a code word...

PeRs0Nal projects.

Re:My 20% time

[0x461FAB0BD7D2]

"Hey google what the hell is this yellow stuff in the picture eating my plants"

Spongebob?

You Do Want to Express Yourself, Don't You?

[Shky]

How many pieces of flair do they have to wear?

Re:You Do Want to Express Yourself, Don't You?

[Anonymous Coward]

and they will bring in the CPAs. The CPAs will start talking about shareholder value and write vision statements.

Which is the moment when the company discovers thatit has an over-supply of Certified Public Accountants, and those "vision statements" should be really "mission statements"

And that's when they bring MBAs.

Re:career impact?

[TiggertheMad]

And here comes the cavalcade of leeches spouting "smart people don't reinvent the wheel.."

Smart people don't reinvent.....uh, damn.

That was some sort of jedi mind tick wasn't it?

eightypercent.net?

[Anonymous Coward]

Heck, I don't have a good 20% project yet and I need one. If I don't come up with something I'm sure it could negatively impact my review.

Maybe he should move his blog over to twentypercent.net...

Vital Company Secrets

[osewa77]

"You're fired for blogging!"

Is /. the result of a Google employee?

[mcguyver]

If slashdot were owned by a Google employee then that would explain why 20% of the stories that run on /. are about Google.

/bye karma

One Fine Day At Google

[ackthpt]

What if you only did 19%? Or 18%? 17%? Where do they start saying.. "hey...you need to work less on what you are supposed to and more on your side project."

Let's consider this...

Manager: Hey, welcome to our team, we're all going to be working on a great, exciting project! Are you all looking forward to a fun challenge that can add cool new features and attract more customers?
Employee: [Yeah, right, exciting for you, but not for me, mister millionaire manager.] Yeah.
Manager: Excellent! Ok, we've all got new workstations, the latest and greatest, installed with all the tools you should need, but if you need anything else just scribble it down and zap it over to me, I want to make sure you have everything you need.
Employee: [Yeah, everything you need to squeeze every last drop of blood out of me, you capitalist pig.] Ok.
Manager: Further, don't worry about your hours, come in late work late, come in early leave early, whatever, just so long as you can all make necessary meetings and hook up with each other when you need to.
Employee: [Yeah, you'd really like it if I came in early and left late, mister exploiter.] Cool.
Manager: And I'll have a caterer bring you lunches, snacks and drinks, whatever you like, just jot it down and I'll add to the list. Don't forget to take breaks now and then, we don't want anyone to burn out.
Employee: [Why not, because then you'd have to go find some other guy to wring the life out of?]
Manager: Oh, and one last thing, we did really well last quarter and everyone will get an additional bonus in their check. We'll also throw a party on Saturday where you can all kick back and have some brews and listen to a live band and bring your kids for a pool party and lots and lots of food.
Employee: [You'd just like me to slave away on things and then choke on damn eggroll, wouldn't you, you bastard.] Wow!
Manager: Carsten, you ok? You look a bit down?
Employee: [Yeah, trodden under your oppressive boot.] Oh, I'm fine.
Manager: Ok... but why don't you take the rest of the day off, have a long weekend. Heck here's some tickets to see the Warriors, if you can't use them, pass them to someone else.
Employee: [You'd like that, wouldn't you, me sitting in the third row just as a fight breaks out and I get mauled by some genetic freak.] Uh, thanks.

Yeah, I can see how working for such a place could suck...

Re:Mirror, in case of slowness

[Anonymous Coward]

Seems to be holding up pretty well...looks to be about 80 percent.

Of course that could just mean he's found some use for the other 20% since writing this article.

Re:career impact?

[Scott7477]

I'll tell you how a young programmer could make a name for him or her self at Google: add a script to the home page that when "I'm feeling lucky" is clicked gives the would be searcher the finger. I guarantee you wouldn't soon be forgotten.

Re:Personal projects?

[Anonymous Coward]

Does that mean it's personal as in "beer" not "speech"?

Re:Texas?

[ChuckSchwab]

The internet.