[kchoudhu]

It depends on what system you're talking about.

If you're talking about the core risk management system, yeah, seven hours sounds about right. But the risk management system is a platform that you can use to build other systems that can be iterated upon very, very quickly: we regularly made changes, reviewed them and made them production visible globally in under two minutes).

Flash Boys' technical discussion is, frankly, crap. The larger point about GS' treatment of Aleynikov (sp?) is, however, correct and relevant.

Source: Worked there for 8 years, still suffering from withdrawal.

[cheez]

Withdrawal meaning you want to go back? Hard to find a similar environment anywhere else?

That's me in a nutshell, if not you.

[kchoudhu]

The amount of irritation GS abstracts away from the programmer is amazing -- and I do miss it very much. I'd like to go back, but circumstances appears to be taking me elsewhere.

It was a good run, and unlike OP's friend, I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.

[cheez]

My experience as well.