In what language was WhatsApp written - briefly?
WhatsApp was primarily written in the Erlang programming language. This choice was driven by the need for a system that could handle a large number of concurrent users and messages efficiently.
In what language was WhatsApp written - in detail?
WhatsApp, one of the most popular messaging applications globally, was initially developed using the Erlang programming language. This choice was strategic and deliberate, aimed at addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by the application's creators, Jan Koum and Brian Acton.
Erlang is a functional programming language known for its robustness in handling real-time, concurrent systems. It was developed by Ericsson to manage telecommunication networks, making it an ideal choice for WhatsApp due to the high volume of messages and user interactions the platform anticipated. Erlang's ability to handle numerous simultaneous connections efficiently without compromising performance was a critical factor in its selection.
However, as WhatsApp grew exponentially, scaling the backend infrastructure became increasingly challenging with Erlang alone. To address these growing pains, the development team eventually transitioned parts of the codebase to other languages such as Java and C++ for better scalability and performance optimization. This hybrid approach allowed WhatsApp to maintain its high reliability and responsiveness while managing an ever-increasing user base.
In summary, Erlang played a foundational role in WhatsApp's early development, providing the necessary framework for real-time messaging. As the platform evolved, additional languages were introduced to enhance scalability and performance, ensuring that WhatsApp could continue to meet the demands of its global user base effectively.