System Design 101

Have you ever wondered how massive applications are built? Chances are, they don’t rely on a single service or database to handle enormous scale. Instead, a complex ecosystem of systems and behind-the-scenes magic works together seamlessly.

In this document, we explore the fundamental building blocks of System Design . I assume you’re starting with a clean slate in this field, so I’ll guide you from foundational concepts to more advanced topics:

1. Web Service: Discover the Microservice architecture and best practices for building scalable web services.

2. Data Persistence: Learn about the persistence layer, the structure of common data stores, and the challenges of managing distributed storage.

3. System Administration: Explore core administrative tasks, essential components, and best practices for maintaining and deploying distributed systems.

4. Design Patterns: Gain insights into architectural patterns crucial for designing large-scale systems.

Each topic is interconnected but designed to be self-contained, so you can read them independently. If you’re new to System Design , I recommend starting at the beginning and progressing gradually through the content.

Key Considerations

Before diving in, keep these crucial points in mind. They are the pillars we always aim for in the topics.

1. Context matters: System Design depend heavily on the specific problem at hand. A solution that works well in one scenario might not be suitable in another. The goal is to identify the most appropriate approach for your system’s requirements.

2. Simplicity is key: Complex designs are costlier to develop and maintain. Strive for an effective yet simple design, avoiding unnecessary sophistication.

3. System design is an evolving process: Build systems based on current requirements, not hypothetical future needs. As the business evolves, so should the system architecture.

Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!