Google Summer of Code has produced 50 million lines of open source code from over 8,500 student developers

Google today announced a big milestone for its Google Summer of Code program: 50 million lines of open source code, and counting. Since 2005, the company has managed to get over 8,500 student developers interested in contributing to open source software.

For those who don’t know, Google Summer of Code is an annual program that pairs university students from all around the world with open source software organizations. Students get to be mentored during their summer breaks while the organizations get, well, lines of open source code.

To celebrate Google Summer of Code’s milestone and upcoming 10-year anniversary, Google is planning the following (yes, there are 10 points all mentioning the number 10):

• 10 visits to countries with high participation throughout the year.
• 10 developer events in promotion of the program.
• 10 mentors who have participated in Google Summer of Code will be featured on our open source blog.
• 10 percent additional student stipend (a total of $5500 for students who successfully complete the whole program).
• 10 percent more students than we’ve ever had participate in the program before.
• 10 more mentoring organizations than we’ve ever had in the program will be participating in Google Summer of Code 2014.
• 10 year student reunion event will be held on Google’s Mountain View campus next year for all the students who have participated in the program.
• 10 year reunion mentor summit will be held on Google’s Mountain View campus for all our Google Summer of Code organization alumni.
• 10 students/organizations will be chosen to highlight their work at the Google booths at open source events throughout the year.
• 10 student projects from the past nine years will be highlighted on the open source blog and YouTube.

As always, applications for Google Summer of Code will open in March. Google also runs Google Code-in, an international contest for introducing 13 to 17-year-old students to the world of open source development, and those interested can apply starting November 18.

Top Image Credit: Shutterstock