This course aims to prepare you for system design interviews and discusses how you can apply this knowledge in your day-to-day job. In the real world, most engineers don't frequently design new systems. Some may not get to design them at all. In many companies, architecture is a task reserved for only a few individuals. However, during interviews, there is a sudden expectation for everyone to master system design.
Course Objectives
This course covers basic topics and provides my approach to common system design interview questions. Additionally, the course offers senior engineers an alternative perspective on system design. In the industry, design is not often openly discussed because no real-world design is perfect—something I hope to change.
How to Approach the Course
There are two ways I recommend consuming the course:
- Comprehensive Approach: If you have ample time, watch from start to finish. The course is structured logically to build your confidence incrementally.
- Focused Approach: If short on time or not actively preparing for interviews, begin with the design videos. If you're unfamiliar with a topic discussed, there should be a video or a linked relevant article available.
Understanding System Design Interviews
The goal of a system design interview is to evaluate multiple topics, assessing breadth of knowledge first, and depth second. Therefore, I have kept the theoretical part of each topic relatively brief, reflecting my expectations as an interviewer.
The Imperfection of System Design
Finally, let me emphasize that no design is perfect. There are always tradeoffs and compromises you must make. Each design is personal, influenced by your expertise areas. While watching my videos, consider them as a collection of ideas rather than definitive methods for system design.
