High Level System Architectures

This section will consists of briefer architectures of certain products and companies at a higher level. These lessons are intended to get you to start thinking more holistically, before we dive into the deeper calculations and inner workings of complex systems.

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1. LESSON

Design of the Twitter Architecture

In the pulsating heart of our digital era, where information flows at the speed of thought and opinions ignite like wildfire, sits an unassuming blue bird — a symbol of a platform that has become a global town square. Twitter, with nearly 200 million users as of 2020, is not merely a social media service; it's a dynamic digital ecosystem t...

2. LESSON

Design AirBnb Tutorial (Systems Design, Architecture)

What is AirBnb? AirBnb is one of the most popular platforms for accommodation listing and booking. Every homeowner can list their space for rental, and users can book private accommodations and even experiences throughout the whole world. Services like Airbnb allow a smooth and customizable booking experience for users so they can easily plan t...

3. LESSON

Examining the YouTube Architecture

In this lesson, we will discuss the YouTube architecture, with a focus on following key points: Detailed explanation of each stage in YouTube's system architecture. Explaining the inner workings of YouTube's algorithm. Who hasn't heard of YouTube today? It is perhaps the second most pop...

4. LESSON

How Do Search Engines Work?

Objective: Embark on a virtual tour through the fascinating world of search engines. We'll unravel the mystery behind how search engines like Google have transformed our internet experience, making information accessible at our fingertips. Together, we'll explore: The genesis of s...

5. LESSON

Designing a Dropbox Service and Servers

Inside Dropbox Architecture Dropbox has become a staple of personal cloud storage. Like Google Drive, it offers convenient online file hosting and synchronization. But how does Dropbox actually work behind the scenes? In this guide, we'll explore the components that power Dropbox's architecture. We'll cover: The high-level distributed sy...

6. LESSON

How to Build a URL Shortener/Bitly Architecture

Design and architecture questions similar to this one are somewhat rarer than algorithm questions on interviews but can give interviewers a tremendous insight into how the interviewee thinks and how they would approach problems in practice. These questions are not meant to be studied in and of themselves. Instead, you should pay...

7. LESSON

A Dive into the Facebook Newsfeed Architecture

In this lesson, we will learn about the Facebook newsfeed and its architecture. We'll explore these key points: How does the Facebook newsfeed work? We'll see a detailed system design of Facebook's newsfeed system. Algorithms used in the system. Facebook is the most popular social n...

8. LESSON

Design a Payments API Like Stripe

A payment API (payment gateway API or payment processing API) is an API system that integrates a payment solution with a given application, by connecting it to a payment system and allowing it to do payment operations. It can offer payment options like cards (debit and credit), digital wallets, UPI, and more. It is also the opposite of a hosted c...

9. LESSON

How to Design and Implement Typeahead/Autocomplete

Autocomplete, also known as typeahead, is a feature that we often encounter in search engines and other user interfaces. As users begin typing their queries, the system instantly suggests relevant options. It's like having a smart assistant that predicts what you're looking for! The Journey Ahead In this tutorial, we won't jus...

10. LESSON

Google Maps System Design

Unpacking the Intricacies of Google Maps: A Comprehensive Guide Google Maps is a modern-day marvel that has made our lives so much easier. But have you ever wondered what lies under the hood? Designing a system like Google Maps is like constructing a miniature universe—complex and multifaceted. In this tutorial, we will navigate this universe...

11. LESSON

The Software Design of Google Docs

Google docs is an amazing cloud servicing product that offers document creating, document sharing and editing features through an over-the-cloud service. Replacing the traditional local document service such as MS-Words, Google Docs has allowed for a lucrative and a comfortable environment for its users. It might look simple at first, but the...

12. LESSON

Systems Design for Netflix

Systems Design of Netflix Introduction Netflix. It’s more than just a streaming service; it’s a cultural phenomenon. But have you ever paused (pun intended) to think about the colossal tech machinery running behind those binge-watching sessions? From starting as a DVD-by-mail service to becoming the world's leading streaming service, Netf...

13. LESSON

Design Upwork (Marketplace/Chat) Architecture

Upwork is one of today's leading platforms for hiring freelancers, offering a good solution for both clients and freelancers. It is a full web solution, with multiple modules, that makes it one of the first choices of freelancers around the world for finding jobs and working online. The application offers the following: a marketplace, where...

14. LESSON

Design an Ad Exchange

Introduction to Advertisement Exchange Advertisement exchange is a technology that facilitates the buying and selling of media advertising inventory from multiple ad networks. The goal is to match sellers of ad space with relevant buyers in real-time. What You Will Learn This tutorial is designed to provide you with a comprehensive under...

15. LESSON

Design Amazon.com and eCommerce Stores

Amazon e-Commerce: A Technological Marvel in the 21st Century Introduction E-commerce, the act of buying and selling goods virtually, has grown into a colossal industry in the 21st century. It's a dynamic space where convenience meets profit, and one giant stands tall: Amazon. Amazon: The Market Leader Market Capitalization: Mor...

16. LESSON

API Rate Limiter Design

For application programming interfaces (APIs), rate restriction is a protective technique that limits the number of requests to the API within a specific period of time. This protects an API/service from malicious attacks, overuse, brief spikes in request volume, DDoS attacks, brute-force password attempts, and other forms of...

17. LESSON

ChatGPT System Design

Designing a ChatGPT Clone ChatGPT has captivated users with its ability to engage in natural conversations and provide informative responses. The goal of this tutorial is to explore how we could design a scalable chatbot system with similar capabilities as ChatGPT. We'll cover key requirements, components, data flows, and scaling techniques...

18. LESSON

Twitch Systems Design: Video Streaming Service

Designing a Scalable Live Streaming Platform Like Twitch Introduction: The Landscape of Live Streaming Live streaming platforms like Twitch have taken the world by storm, allowing gamers and creators to broadcast their content in real-time. However, building such a platform is no walk in the park. Let's dive into the complexities and break d...

19. LESSON

A Visual Guide to Understanding the Blockchain Architecture

Blockchain: The Theoretical Framework and Architecture Let's cover the architecture behind blockchain! Before we discuss the theoretical framework of the blockchain and its technicalities, we need to contextualize the historical perspective that lead to the development of such an unprecedented and revolutionary technology. Let’s first have...

20. LESSON

Design an Observability Monitoring System

A Comprehensive Guide to Designing a Monitoring System for Infrastructure and Applications Introduction: The Why and What of Monitoring Systems Monitoring systems play an indispensable role in the modern engineering landscape, acting as the eyes and ears for engineers. A robust monitoring system serves a multitude of use-cases: **Server...

21. LESSON

Zoom System Design Architecture

Video conferencing platforms like Zoom have become essential tools for remote work, education, and communication. Developing the architecture for a scalable video conferencing service requires careful system design and planning. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the architectural considerations and system des...