CF

Distributed Systems

19h 12m 22s
English
Paid

Discover the world of distributed systems - a dynamic field where the evolution of multiple computers has transformed both quantity and distribution. While businesses once sought powerful mainframes, today even modest applications harness the power of multiple machines operating in tandem.

Understanding Distributed Systems

Distributed systems encompass the intricate science of making decisions around trade-offs inherent in this unique architecture. The appeal of mastering the construction of any distributed system is undeniable, but the journey is more nuanced and profound than it first seems.

Course Goals and Expectations

The course realistically aims to instill a sense of calm in facing unavoidable constraints, the courage to change what is possible, and the wisdom to distinguish between the two. Achieving this balance is crucial for success in distributed systems.

Basic Knowledge Required

The foundations of distributed systems often intersect with operating systems, networks, and databases. While a grounding in these areas is presumed, the course is designed for enthusiastic learners, allowing exploration of foundational courses as necessary.

Course Structure and Content

The course architecture draws inspiration from the renowned textbook Designing Data-Intensive Applications, referred to as DDIA throughout. Although not a conventional academic text, DDIA skillfully merges principles with practical applications in distributed systems. Author Kleppmann's pragmatic approach retains theoretical rigor, making it a favored resource in the field.

Instructor Insights from Oz

The course, which is currently underway, includes live seminars focused on key concepts, with recordings available for those unable to attend live sessions. Active CS Primer subscribers are encouraged to join synchronously, maximizing the benefits of real-time learning.

Learning Methodology

Given the conceptual nature of distributed systems, the course heavily relies on seminars, a substantial project component (such as developing a distributed key-value store), and intensive system design problem-solving. This comprehensive approach ensures a thorough understanding of distributed systems both theoretically and practically.

Key Components of the Course

  • Live Seminars: Engage with live discussions to deepen your understanding of distributed systems.
  • Project Work: Gain hands-on experience by developing a distributed key-value store.
  • System Design Challenges: Tackle complex problems to enhance your practical skills.

Why Choose This Course?

This course combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, guided by expert instructors and valuable resources. It caters to both beginners and advanced learners, ensuring that everyone attains a profound understanding of distributed systems.

Community and Support

Join a vibrant learning community and access continuous support from both peers and experienced mentors throughout your educational journey.

About the Author: Oz Nova (CS Primer)

Oz Nova (CS Primer) thumbnail

Oz Nova is the founder of CS Primer (csprimer.com) and a co-founder of Bradfield School of Computer Science — an unusually rigorous CS-fundamentals education brand aimed at self-taught engineers filling in the formal computer-science foundations they didn't get from a four-year degree. The CS Primer course catalog goes deeper into the fundamentals than essentially any other paid online platform.

The course catalog covers compilers and language design, computer networks (from sockets through application protocols), distributed systems, computer architecture, operating systems, databases at the storage-engine level, and the algorithms / data-structures material taught at the level of a serious CS undergraduate course rather than an interview-prep cheat sheet.

The CourseFlix listing under this source carries 7 CS Primer courses spanning that range. Material is paid; CS Primer runs on per-course or membership pricing on the original platform. Courses are aimed at working software engineers ready to fill the foundational CS gaps that compound across a career.

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#1: 001 - KV store introduction
All Course Lessons (20)
#Lesson TitleDurationAccess
1
001 - KV store introduction Demo
01:03:14
2
002 - Introduction to distributed systems
01:25:25
3
003 - How to study distributed systems
11:16
4
004 - Klepmanns three objectives of distributed systems
06:53
5
005 - How Complex Systems Fail
06:00
6
006 - Do you really need a distributed system
05:59
7
007 - Service oriented architecture at Amazon
05:04
8
008 - Wire formats
01:26:49
9
009 - API patterns REST SOAP RPC GraphQL
56:30
10
010 - Replication
01:32:23
11
011 - Partitioning
01:15:08
12
012 - Models of consistency
01:17:34
13
013 - Consensus
01:24:09
14
014 - Dynamo
01:24:49
15
015 - Batch processing GFS and MapReduce
01:15:24
16
016 - Stream processing
56:59
17
017 - Dictionary search
52:51
18
018 - Thesaurus scraper
01:19:40
19
019 - Log aggregator
01:22:30
20
020 - Image rescaler
01:03:45
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Frequently asked questions

What prerequisites are needed for the course on distributed systems?
A foundational understanding of operating systems, networks, and databases is presumed for this course. These areas often intersect with distributed systems, and while not mandatory, they will help you grasp the course material more effectively. The course is designed for enthusiastic learners, and foundational courses are recommended for those who need to build up their understanding.
What types of projects or exercises are included in the course?
The course includes practical exercises such as building a dictionary search, a thesaurus scraper, a log aggregator, and an image rescaler. These projects are designed to help students apply the theoretical concepts of distributed systems in practical scenarios, reinforcing the trade-offs and decisions involved in building distributed applications.
Who is the target audience for this distributed systems course?
The course is aimed at learners who are eager to understand the dynamics of distributed systems, particularly those with a background or interest in operating systems, networks, and databases. It is suitable for individuals looking to deepen their knowledge in distributed computing, whether for academic purposes or career advancement in fields related to computer science and software engineering.
How does this course compare in depth to other distributed systems courses?
This course draws inspiration from the textbook 'Designing Data-Intensive Applications' (DDIA), which is known for merging principles with practical applications. Unlike some academic courses that may focus on theory alone, this course offers a balanced approach by incorporating both theoretical foundations and real-world applications, providing a nuanced understanding of distributed systems.
What specific tools or platforms will I learn about in this course?
Students will explore various tools and concepts such as key-value stores, service-oriented architecture at Amazon, different API patterns including REST, SOAP, RPC, and GraphQL, as well as batch processing with GFS and MapReduce. The course also covers topics like replication, partitioning, consistency models, and consensus algorithms, providing a comprehensive overview of the technologies involved in distributed systems.
What topics are explicitly not covered in this course?
While the course covers a wide range of topics related to distributed systems, it does not delve into specific implementation details of operating systems, networks, or databases. Instead, it focuses on how these components interact within distributed systems and the trade-offs involved in designing and managing such architectures.
What is the expected time commitment for completing the course?
The course consists of 20 lessons, with each lesson designed to be comprehensive enough to cover the necessary concepts without overwhelming the learner. While the exact runtime is not specified, learners should anticipate dedicating several hours per week to fully engage with the material, complete exercises, and assimilate the concepts presented throughout the course.