What technologies are used at Netflix? (2024)

Netflix, one of the largest streaming services in the world, relies heavily on technology to provide its millions of subscribers with an unparalleled viewing experience.

From the backend servers that store and process its vast library of content to the frontend applications that allow users to stream their favourite shows and movies, programming languages play a critical role in making Netflix’s services possible.

Java: the core of the service

At the core of Netflix’s technology stack is the Java programming language.

Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language that is known for its portability and scalability, making it an ideal choice for building large, distributed systems like Netflix’s.

The language is used to develop the company’s backend systems, including its content management systems, recommendation engines, and data processing pipelines.

Java is widely adopted in the industry, and it offers a vast ecosystem of libraries and tools, making it an excellent choice for building complex systems like Netflix’s.

Other big players: Python and Javascript

In addition to Java, Netflix also uses a number of other programming languages, including Python and JavaScript.

Python is a high-level programming language that is widely used for data analysis and scientific computing, and it is used in a variety of applications within Netflix’s technology stack, including its data processing pipelines and recommendation engines.

The language is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and it is used by many organizations to develop sophisticated systems that require advanced data processing and analysis capabilities.

JavaScript, on the other hand, is a high-level programming language that is widely used for web development, and it is used to build the company’s front-end applications and websites.

The language is known for its fast and flexible nature, and it allows developers to create rich, interactive web applications with ease.

Netflix’s use of JavaScript helps to provide its users with a seamless and enjoyable viewing experience, and it allows the company to build new features and updates quickly and efficiently. In particular, Netflix relies on ReactJS for its main frontend application.

Other tools and databases

Netflix’s use of programming languages extends beyond its core technology stack, and the company also uses a number of other technologies and tools to build and maintain its services.

For example, the company uses the Apache Cassandra database, which is written in Java, to store and manage its vast amounts of data. Cassandra is a highly scalable and fault-tolerant database that is well-suited for use in large, distributed systems like Netflix’s, and it is known for its ability to handle large amounts of data with high performance and low latency.

In addition to Cassandra, Netflix also uses Apache Spark, a big data processing framework written in Scala, to process and analyze its data.

Spark is known for its ability to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently, and it is used by many organizations to perform complex data processing and analysis tasks.

By using Spark, Netflix is able to gain valuable insights into its users’ viewing habits, and it is able to use this information to make informed decisions about the content it offers.

Methodologies and architecture

In addition to the programming languages and technologies used in the development of its services, Netflix also relies on a number of software development practices and methodologies to ensure the quality and reliability of its systems.

For example, the company has adopted the microservices architecture, which allows its development teams to build and deploy services independently.

This architecture provides a high degree of flexibility and agility, and it enables Netflix to quickly and efficiently respond to changing market conditions and user needs.

The company has also embraced continuous delivery and deployment practices, which allow it to quickly and efficiently deploy new features and updates.

By using continuous delivery, Netflix is able to provide its users with a high degree of reliability and stability, and it is able to quickly address any issues that arise.

Conclusions

Netflix uses a variety of programming languages and technologies to build and maintain its streaming services, and these play a critical role in providing its millions of subscribers with a seamless and enjoyable viewing experience.

From Java and Python to Apache Cassandra and Apache Spark, Netflix’s use of programming languages has helped the company to achieve its goals and to remain a leader in the streaming industry.