System Design Tutorial Last Updated : 02 Jul, 2025 Summarize Comments Improve Suggest changes Share Like Article Like Report System Design is the process of designing the architecture, components, and interfaces for a system so that it meets the end-user requirements. This specifically designed System Design tutorial will help you to learn and master System Design concepts in the most efficient way, from the basics to the advanced level.Why Learn System Design?System design is important for anyone who wants to build a robust, scalable, and efficient software application. Whether you are building a small-scale application or a large one, understanding system design allows you to architect solutions that can handle real-world complexities.Scalability and Reliability: System design ensures systems can grow and handle increased demand without failure.Efficient Resource Management: It helps in optimizing resource allocation, ensuring fast and responsive applications.Adaptability: System design enables the creation of systems that can evolve with changing business needs, reducing long-term costs.Architectural Understanding: Learning different system architectures (e.g., microservices, monolithic) helps in building applications suited to various needs.Interview Preparation: Mastering system design is key to excelling in system design interviews, commonly asked in tech company hiring processes.Introduction to System DesignWhat is System Design?Why is it important to learn System Design? Key Principles of System DesignBasics of System Design What is the Requirements Gathering Process in System Design?Functional vs Non-Functional RequirementsStakeholder AnalysisSystem Design StrategiesComponents of System DesignSystem Design Life Cycle | SDLC (Design)Scalability in System Design Scalability and How to Achieve it?Horizontal and Vertical Scaling Which Scalability approach is right for our Application? Primary Bottlenecks that Hurt the Scalability of an ApplicationSystem Architectural StylesMonolithic ArchitectureMicroservices ArchitectureMonolithic vs Microservices ArchitectureEvent-Driven ArchitectureServerless ArchitectureStateful vs. Stateless ArchitectureLayered ArchitecturePeer-To-Peer ArchitectureHigh-Level Design(HLD) and Core Components What is High Level Design? Availability in System DesignHow to achieve High Availability?Consistency in System Design Reliability in System DesignFault Tolerance in System Design MaintainabilityCAP Theorem Concurrency and Parallelism Load Balancer Load Balancing AlgorithmsConsistent Hashing Consistency patternDomain Name SystemDNS CachingTime to Live(TTL)Content Delivery Network(CDN)Latency and ThroughputCaching in System Design What is API Gateway Message Queues Rate LimitingRate Limiting AlgorithmCommunication Protocols Network Protocols and ProxiesUnified Modeling Language (UML)WebsocketsCore Concepts in System DesignForward Proxy vs Reverse ProxyPerformance Optimization Techniques for System DesignSequence and Parallel Cloud ComputingConsensus Algorithms in Distributed System Distributed TracingSoftware Cost EstimationDatabases in Designing Systems Which Database to Choose while designing a system - SQL or NoSQL File and Database Storage SystemsDatabase Replication in System Design Database Sharding Block, Object, and File Storage Normalization Process in DBMS Denormalization in Databases Intro to RedisLow Level Design(LLD) What is Low Level Design or LLDObject-Oriented Programing(OOP) ConceptsData Structures and Algorithms for System Design Object-Oriented Analysis and DesignDifference between Authentication and Authorization Design Patterns Unit Testing Integration Testing CI/CD PipelineIntroduction to Modularity and Interfaces Essential Security Measures in System Design Security MeasuresAuthentication and AuthorizationSecure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS)Secure Communication in Distributed SystemSecure Software Developement Life Cycle (SSDLC)Data Backup and Disaster RecoveryInterview Questions & Answers of System Design URL Shortening ServiceDesign Dropbox Design Twitter System Design Netflix – Complete Architecture System Design of Uber App – Uber System Architecture Design BookMyShow Designing Facebook Messenger Designing Whatsapp Messenger Designing InstagramDesigning AirbnbSystem Designing of Airline Management SystemTips for System Design interviewHow to Crack System Design Round in Interviews? 5 Tips to Crack Low-Level System Design Interviews 5 Common System Design Concepts for Interview Preparation 6 Steps To Approach Object-Oriented Design Questions in Interview System Design TutorialAdvantages of System Design Below are the advantages of System Design:In Good system design, it is easy to see how all parts of the system connects, interact and function together.It helps teams plan resources, time, and costs more effectively and reduces any surprises during development.An efficient system is easy to maintain and update, which saves time and effort in the long run.It allows the system to grow smoothly. You can add new features or handle more users without major changes.Good design can enhance the system’s performance, making it faster and more efficient.Disadvantages of System Design Below are the disadvantages of System Design:The process of system design can be time-consuming, especially for large and complex systems. System design can be expensive, especially if it involves significant research, prototyping, and testing. System design requires a significant amount of technical expertise, including knowledge of hardware, software, databases, and data structures. Once a system design is complete, it can be difficult to make changes to the design, especially if the design has already been implemented and deployed. Reference booksBelow are some good reference book to learn system design: "Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software" by Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, and John Vlissides "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman "Systems Analysis and Design" by Alan Dennis and Barbara Haley Wixom "Clean Architecture: A Craftsman's Guide to Software Structure and Design" by Robert C. Martin "Software Architecture in Practice" by Len Bass, Paul Clements, and Rick Kazman Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article System Design Bootcamp - 20 System Design Concepts Every Engineer Must Know A abhishek1 Follow Improve Article Tags : System Design Tutorials Similar Reads System Design Tutorial System Design is the process of designing the architecture, components, and interfaces for a system so that it meets the end-user requirements. This specifically designed System Design tutorial will help you to learn and master System Design concepts in the most efficient way, from the basics to the 4 min read System Design Bootcamp - 20 System Design Concepts Every Engineer Must Know We all know that System Design is the core concept behind the design of any distributed system. Therefore every person in the tech industry needs to have at least a basic understanding of what goes behind designing a System. With this intent, we have brought to you the ultimate System Design Intervi 15+ min read What is System DesignWhat is System Design? A Comprehensive Guide to System Architecture and Design PrinciplesSystem Design is the process of defining the architecture, components, modules, interfaces, and data for a system to satisfy specified requirements. It involves translating user requirements into a detailed blueprint that guides the implementation phase. The goal is to create a well-organized and ef 11 min read System Design Life Cycle | SDLC (Design)System Design Life Cycle is defined as the complete journey of a System from planning to deployment. The System Design Life Cycle is divided into 7 Phases or Stages, which are:1. Planning Stage 2. Feasibility Study Stage 3. System Design Stage 4. Implementation Stage 5. Testing Stage 6. Deployment S 7 min read What are the components of System Design?The process of specifying a computer system's architecture, components, modules, interfaces, and data is known as system design. It involves looking at the system's requirements, determining its assumptions and limitations, and defining its high-level structure and components. The primary elements o 10 min read Goals and Objectives of System DesignThe objective of system design is to create a plan for a software or hardware system that meets the needs and requirements of a customer or user. This plan typically includes detailed specifications for the system, including its architecture, components, and interfaces. System design is an important 5 min read Why is it Important to Learn System Design?System design is an important skill in the tech industry, especially for freshers aiming to grow. Top MNCs like Google and Amazon emphasize system design during interviews, with 40% of recruiters prioritizing it. Beyond interviews, it helps in the development of scalable and effective solutions to a 6 min read Important Key Concepts and Terminologies – Learn System DesignSystem Design is the core concept behind the design of any distributed systems. System Design is defined as a process of creating an architecture for different components, interfaces, and modules of the system and providing corresponding data helpful in implementing such elements in systems. In this 9 min read Advantages of System DesignSystem Design is the process of designing the architecture, components, and interfaces for a system so that it meets the end-user requirements. System Design for tech interviews is something that can’t be ignored! Almost every IT giant whether it be Facebook, Amazon, Google, Apple or any other asks 4 min read System Design FundamentalsAnalysis of Monolithic and Distributed Systems - Learn System DesignSystem analysis is the process of gathering the requirements of the system prior to the designing system in order to study the design of our system better so as to decompose the components to work efficiently so that they interact better which is very crucial for our systems. System design is a syst 10 min read What is Requirements Gathering Process in System Design?The first and most essential stage in system design is requirements collecting. It identifies and documents the needs of stakeholders to guide developers during the building process. This step makes sure the final system meets expectations by defining project goals and deliverables. We will explore 7 min read Differences between System Analysis and System DesignSystem Analysis and System Design are two stages of the software development life cycle. System Analysis is a process of collecting and analyzing the requirements of the system whereas System Design is a process of creating a design for the system to meet the requirements. Both are important stages 4 min read Horizontal and Vertical Scaling | System DesignIn system design, scaling is crucial for managing increased loads. This article explores horizontal and vertical scaling, detailing their differences. Understanding these approaches helps organizations make informed decisions for optimizing performance and ensuring scalability as their needs evolveH 8 min read Capacity Estimation in Systems DesignCapacity Estimation in Systems Design explores predicting how much load a system can handle. Imagine planning a party where you need to estimate how many guests your space can accommodate comfortably without things getting chaotic. Similarly, in technology, like websites or networks, we must estimat 10 min read Object-Oriented Analysis and Design(OOAD)Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD) is a way to design software by thinking of everything as objects similar to real-life things. In OOAD, we first understand what the system needs to do, then identify key objects, and finally decide how these objects will work together. This approach helps m 6 min read How to Answer a System Design Interview Problem/Question?System design interviews are crucial for software engineering roles, especially senior positions. These interviews assess your ability to architect scalable, efficient systems. Unlike coding interviews, they focus on overall design, problem-solving, and communication skills. You need to understand r 5 min read Functional vs. Non Functional RequirementsRequirements analysis is an essential process that enables the success of a system or software project to be assessed. Requirements are generally split into two types: Functional and Non-functional requirements. functional requirements define the specific behavior or functions of a system. In contra 6 min read Communication Protocols in System DesignModern distributed systems rely heavily on communication protocols for both design and operation. They facilitate smooth coordination and communication by defining the norms and guidelines for message exchange between various components. Building scalable, dependable, and effective systems requires 6 min read Web Server, Proxies and their role in Designing SystemsIn system design, web servers and proxies are crucial components that facilitate seamless user-application communication. Web pages, images, or data are delivered by a web server in response to requests from clients, like browsers. A proxy, on the other hand, acts as a mediator between clients and s 9 min read Scalability in System DesignWhat is Scalability and How to achieve it?The ability of a system to accommodate a growing load or demand without compromising performance is referred to as scalability. Scalability guarantees that systems can adjust without difficulty, whether a website's user base is growing or a corporation is extending its operations. Using distributed 11 min read Which Scalability approach is right for our Application? - System DesignDesigning a system that can manage growth requires selecting the right scaling strategy. To help you in selecting the best scaling strategy for your application, we will examine the various approaches, including vertical and horizontal scaling, in this post. In order to maintain performance and depe 6 min read Primary Bottlenecks that Hurt the Scalability of an Application - System DesignScalability is crucial for designing systems that can handle growing user demands. However, certain bottlenecks can slow down or even break an application's ability to scale. These bottlenecks can occur in various parts of a system. The first step in creating scalable and effective systems is to und 5 min read Databases in Designing SystemsComplete Guide to Database Design - System DesignDatabase design is key to building fast and reliable systems. It involves organizing data to ensure performance, consistency, and scalability while meeting application needs. From choosing the right database type to structuring data efficiently, good design plays a crucial role in system success. Th 11 min read SQL vs. NoSQL - Which Database to Choose in System Design?When designing a system, one of the most critical system design choices you will face is choosing the proper database management system (DBMS). The choice among SQL vs. NoSQL databases can drastically impact your system's overall performance, scalability, and usual success. This is why we have broug 7 min read File and Database Storage Systems in System DesignFile and database storage systems are important to the effective management and arrangement of data in system design. These systems offer a structure for data organization, retrieval, and storage in applications while guaranteeing data accessibility and integrity. Database systems provide structured 4 min read Block, Object, and File Storage in System DesignStorage is a key part of system design, and understanding the types of storage can help you build efficient systems. Block, object, and file storage are three common methods, each suited for specific use cases. Block storage is like building blocks for structured data, object storage handles large, 6 min read Database Sharding - System DesignDatabase sharding is a technique for horizontal scaling of databases, where the data is split across multiple database instances, or shards, to improve performance and reduce the impact of large amounts of data on a single database.Table of ContentWhat is Sharding?Methods of ShardingKey Based Shardi 9 min read Database Replication in System DesignDatabase replication is essential to system design, particularly when it comes to guaranteeing data scalability, availability, and reliability. It involves building and keeping several copies of a database on various servers to improve fault tolerance and performance.Table of ContentWhat is Database 7 min read High Level Design(HLD)What is High Level Design? – Learn System DesignHLD plays a significant role in developing scalable applications, as well as proper planning and organization. High-level design serves as the blueprint for the system's architecture, providing a comprehensive view of how components interact and function together. This high-level perspective is impo 9 min read Availability in System DesignIn system design, availability refers to the proportion of time that a system or service is operational and accessible for use. It is a critical aspect of designing reliable and resilient systems, especially in the context of online services, websites, cloud-based applications, and other mission-cri 6 min read Consistency in System DesignConsistency in system design refers to the property of ensuring that all nodes in a distributed system have the same view of the data at any given point in time, despite possible concurrent operations and network delays. In simpler terms, it means that when multiple clients access or modify the same 8 min read Reliability in System DesignReliability is crucial in system design, ensuring consistent performance and minimal failures. The reliability of a device is considered high if it has repeatedly performed its function with success and low if it has tended to fail in repeated trials. The reliability of a system is defined as the pr 5 min read CAP Theorem in System DesignThe CAP Theorem explains the trade-offs in distributed systems. It states that a system can only guarantee two of three properties: Consistency, Availability, and Partition Tolerance. This means no system can do it all, so designers must make smart choices based on their needs. This article explores 8 min read What is API Gateway | System Design?An API Gateway is a key component in system design, particularly in microservices architectures and modern web applications. It serves as a centralized entry point for managing and routing requests from clients to the appropriate microservices or backend services within a system.Table of ContentWhat 9 min read What is Content Delivery Network(CDN) in System DesignThese days, user experience and website speed are crucial. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) are useful in this situation. It promotes the faster distribution of web content to users worldwide. In this article, you will understand the concept of CDNs in system design, exploring their importance, func 8 min read What is Load Balancer & How Load Balancing works?A load balancer is a crucial component in system design that distributes incoming network traffic across multiple servers. Its main purpose is to ensure that no single server is overburdened with too many requests, which helps improve the performance, reliability, and availability of applications.Ta 9 min read Caching - System Design ConceptCaching is a system design concept that involves storing frequently accessed data in a location that is easily and quickly accessible. The purpose of caching is to improve the performance and efficiency of a system by reducing the amount of time it takes to access frequently accessed data.Table of C 10 min read Communication Protocols in System DesignModern distributed systems rely heavily on communication protocols for both design and operation. They facilitate smooth coordination and communication by defining the norms and guidelines for message exchange between various components. Building scalable, dependable, and effective systems requires 6 min read Activity Diagrams - Unified Modeling Language (UML)Activity diagrams are an essential part of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) that help visualize workflows, processes, or activities within a system. They depict how different actions are connected and how a system moves from one state to another. By offering a clear picture of both simple and com 10 min read Message Queues - System DesignMessage queues enable communication between various system components, which makes them crucial to system architecture. Because they serve as buffers, messages can be sent and received asynchronously, enabling systems to function normally even if certain components are temporarily or slowly unavaila 9 min read Low Level Design(LLD)What is Low Level Design or LLD? - Learn System DesignLow-Level Design (LLD) is the detailed design process in the software development process that focuses on implementing individual components described in the High-Level Design. It provides a blueprint for how each component in the system will function and process and it also includes UML Diagrams, d 5 min read Difference between Authentication and Authorization in LLD - System DesignTwo fundamental ideas in system design, particularly in low-level design (LLD), are authentication and authorization. While authorization establishes what resources or actions a user is permitted to access, authentication confirms a person's identity. Both are essential for building secure systems b 4 min read Performance Optimization Techniques for System DesignThe ability to design systems that are not only functional but also optimized for performance and scalability is essential. As systems grow in complexity, the need for effective optimization techniques becomes increasingly critical. Here we will explore various strategies and best practices for opti 13 min read Object-Oriented Analysis and Design(OOAD)Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD) is a way to design software by thinking of everything as objects similar to real-life things. In OOAD, we first understand what the system needs to do, then identify key objects, and finally decide how these objects will work together. This approach helps m 6 min read Data Structures and Algorithms for System DesignSystem design relies on Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) to provide scalable and effective solutions. They assist engineers with data organization, storage, and processing so they can efficiently address real-world issues. In system design, understanding DSA concepts like arrays, trees, graphs, 6 min read Containerization Architecture in System DesignIn system design, containerization architecture describes the process of encapsulating an application and its dependencies into a portable, lightweight container that is easily deployable in a variety of computing environments. Because it makes the process of developing, deploying, and scaling appli 10 min read Introduction to Modularity and Interfaces In System DesignIn software design, modularity means breaking down big problems into smaller, more manageable parts. Interfaces are like bridges that connect these parts together. This article explains how using modularity and clear interfaces makes it easier to build and maintain software, with tips for making sys 9 min read Unified Modeling Language (UML) DiagramsUnified Modeling Language (UML) is a general-purpose modeling language. The main aim of UML is to define a standard way to visualize the way a system has been designed. It is quite similar to blueprints used in other fields of engineering. UML is not a programming language, it is rather a visual lan 14 min read Data Partitioning Techniques in System DesignUsing data partitioning techniques, a huge dataset can be divided into smaller, easier-to-manage portions. These techniques are applied in a variety of fields, including distributed systems, parallel computing, and database administration. Data Partitioning Techniques in System DesignTable of Conten 9 min read How to Prepare for Low-Level Design Interviews?Low-Level Design (LLD) interviews are crucial for many tech roles, especially for software developers and engineers. These interviews test your ability to design detailed components and interactions within a system, ensuring that you can translate high-level requirements into concrete implementation 4 min read Essential Security Measures in System DesignIn today's digitally advanced and Interconnected technology-driven worlds, ensuring the security of the systems is a top-notch priority. This article will deep into the aspects of why it is necessary to build secure systems and maintain them. With various threats like cyberattacks, Data Breaches, an 12 min read Design PatternsSoftware Design Patterns TutorialSoftware design patterns are important tools developers, providing proven solutions to common problems encountered during software development. This article will act as tutorial to help you understand the concept of design patterns. Developers can create more robust, maintainable, and scalable softw 9 min read Creational Design PatternsCreational Design Patterns focus on the process of object creation or problems related to object creation. They help in making a system independent of how its objects are created, composed, and represented. Creational patterns give a lot of flexibility in what gets created, who creates it, and how i 4 min read Structural Design PatternsStructural Design Patterns are solutions in software design that focus on how classes and objects are organized to form larger, functional structures. These patterns help developers simplify relationships between objects, making code more efficient, flexible, and easy to maintain. By using structura 7 min read Behavioral Design PatternsBehavioral design patterns are a category of design patterns that focus on the interactions and communication between objects. They help define how objects collaborate and distribute responsibility among them, making it easier to manage complex control flow and communication in a system. Table of Co 5 min read Design Patterns Cheat Sheet - When to Use Which Design Pattern?In system design, selecting the right design pattern is related to choosing the right tool for the job. It's essential for crafting scalable, maintainable, and efficient systems. Yet, among a lot of options, the decision can be difficult. This Design Patterns Cheat Sheet serves as a guide, helping y 7 min read Interview Guide for System DesignHow to Crack System Design Interview Round?In the System Design Interview round, You will have to give a clear explanation about designing large scalable distributed systems to the interviewer. This round may be challenging and complex for you because you are supposed to cover all the topics and tradeoffs within this limited time frame, whic 9 min read System Design Interview Questions and Answers [2025]In the hiring procedure, system design interviews play a significant role for many tech businesses, particularly those that develop large, reliable software systems. In order to satisfy requirements like scalability, reliability, performance, and maintainability, an extensive plan for the system's a 7 min read Most Commonly Asked System Design Interview Problems/QuestionsThis System Design Interview Guide will provide the most commonly asked system design interview questions and equip you with the knowledge and techniques needed to design, build, and scale your robust applications, for professionals and newbies Below are a list of most commonly asked interview probl 2 min read 5 Common System Design Concepts for Interview PreparationIn the software engineering interview process system design round has become a standard part of the interview. The main purpose of this round is to check the ability of a candidate to build a complex and large-scale system. Due to the lack of experience in building a large-scale system a lot of engi 12 min read 5 Tips to Crack Low-Level System Design InterviewsCracking low-level system design interviews can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can master them. This article provides five essential tips to help you succeed. These tips will guide you through the preparation process. Learn how to break down complex problems, communicate effectivel 6 min read Like