Chakde System Design Series - Episode on Cracking Front End System Design Interviews

Speaker: Chirag Goel

Introduction

• Focus: How to crack front end system design interviews
• Topics covered: HLDs, LLDs, tech stack, performance discussions, functional and non-functional requirements, component architecture, implementation details
• Company-specific system design interview differences (Flipkart, Uber, Google, Microsoft)
• Tools and mantras for cracking system design rounds

Case Study: Motu Bhai's Business

• Motu Bhai's offline business sees competitors moving online
• Decides to create an app and website, sets up a tech team
• Importance of system design knowledge for senior developers
• Different types of system design rounds explained to Motu Bhai

Important System Design Aspects

• Requirement Gathering: Functional and non-functional requirements
• Scoping and Prioritization: Prioritize MVP, tech choices, component architecture, implementation details
• Performance: Discuss internet speed, localization, user devices, accessibility, asset optimization, logging and monitoring, A/B testing, unit testing, internationalization, versioning, PWA, CI/CD pipeline

System Design Questions

• Open-ended questions: Building applications like Flipkart, WhatsApp, Instagram
• Functional Requirements: Discuss demand and supply side, module-level thinking, user management, help and support, payment gateway, pricing, cart page, account management
• Non-functional Requirements: Mobile vs. desktop, responsive vs. adaptive design, internet speed, device types, accessibility, asset optimization

Tech Stack and Component Architecture

• Tech Choices:
  • Libraries and frameworks (e.g., React)
  • State management (e.g., Redux, context)
  • Folder structure
  • Packages (mono repo vs. micro front end)
  • Dependencies (e.g., drag-and-drop, analytics)
  • Design system (e.g., Material Design, Ant Design)
  • Build tools (e.g., Webpack, Rollup)
• Component Architecture:
  • Component hierarchy
  • Routing and state management
  • Data sharing and caching
  • Breaking down components for reusability

Data APIs and Implementation

• Protocols: REST, GraphQL, SSE, gRPC
• Response Types: JSON, Protocol Buffers
• Implementation Details:
  • Pagination
  • Infinite scroll (throttling, intersection observer)
  • Debouncing for search
  • Abort controllers
  • Listing essential APIs
• Data Modeling: Request/response structure, error handling, status codes
• Component APIs: Event handling, customization, usability, state management

HLD vs. LLD

• High-Level Design (HLD): Requirements, scoping, tech choices, component architecture, data API and implementation overview
• Low-Level Design (LLD): Granular implementation details, building specific functionalities (e.g., auto-complete, chat application)
• Senior positions focus more on HLD; junior and mid-level focus more on LLD

Company-Specific Rounds

• System Design Round: Comprehensive coverage (e.g., Microsoft)
• Product Sense Round: Business, product management, UX perspective (e.g., Flipkart)
• UI Architecture: Usability, tech choices, component architecture (e.g., Uber)
• Machine Coding/Component Design: Low-level design, implement specific functionalities

Tools for System Design Interviews

• Online tools for drawing flow diagrams: draw.io, gliffy.com, Lucidchart, miro.com, OneNote, Zenboard
• Importance of familiarity with these tools for productivity

Mantras for Cracking System Design Interviews

• Don’t be like Pushpa: Understand the expectations
• Keep talking during the interview
• Don’t rush into implementation
• Pick one problem at a time
• Familiarize yourself with tools
• Practice system design problems
• Keep iterating and refining your approach

Conclusion

• Importance of discussing and refining approaches
• Invite feedback on specific system design and mock interview topics for future episodes
• Encourage viewers to like, share, subscribe

Thank you for watching the Chakde System Design series. See you in the next episode!