When data exceeds the capacity of a single database machine, horizontal scaling (sharding) becomes necessary. Master , which minimizes data redistribution when new database nodes are added or removed from a cluster. 2. Caching Strategies
Establishing functional and non-functional requirements to prevent over-engineering. Alex Lu System Design Interview Pdf
Estimate data accumulation over 5 years to determine database sizing and sharding strategies. Phase 3: High-Level Architecture (Minutes 10–25) When data exceeds the capacity of a single
Before attempting a full "Design YouTube" problem, isolate individual components: "I downloaded it last month
Ruby leaned in. "I downloaded it last month. Your example on cache invalidation saved me in a take-home problem. I thought—if I ever met the author—I'd ask how you learned to think this way."
This is where senior candidates separate themselves from juniors. Dive deep into the specific bottlenecks of the prompt.