System Design Interview

By Alex Xu

Alex Xu provides a step-by-step framework for tackling system design questions in technical interviews. The book covers how to approach open-ended design problems, communicate effectively with interviewers, and make sound trade-offs when designing large-scale systems.

Through real-world examples, the book walks through the design of well-known systems such as rate limiters, URL shorteners, chat systems, notification services, and news feeds. Each chapter breaks down the problem into manageable steps, from requirements gathering to high-level architecture and deep dives into specific components.

Whether you are preparing for interviews or simply want to strengthen your understanding of how large-scale systems are built, this book offers practical knowledge that applies far beyond the interview room.