Course Objectives

Introduction

System Design Course for Junior Engineers

Kay Ashaolu

Welcome!

• Welcome to this unique course focused on system design tailored for junior engineers.

• Historically left to senior and more experienced engineers

• We aim to demystify system design for junior engineers by breaking it down into well-understood building blocks connected to form cohesive systems

What are Building Blocks?

• Building blocks are the individual components that form a system.

• Each building block has a specific role within the system.
• Connecting building blocks creates a cohesive, end-to-end system.

Holistic View of Systems

• Looks at the system end-to-end holistically.
• Focuses on how building blocks interact to form a cohesive whole.
• Assesses whether the system effectively fulfills the requirements of the system in practice.

Beyond Lines of Code

• Trades off deep code focus for broader system understanding.
• Helps in seeing the bigger picture of application functionality.
• Essential for identifying system-wide issues and optimizations.

Course Objectives

• Introduce a framework for system design centered around building blocks.
• Help you understand and build componentized, scalable, real-world systems using building blocks.
• Provide a theory of intuitively understanding the inner workings of these critical building blocks.

Why Is This Course Needed?

• Overwhelming array of complex technologies and tools.
• Intimidating for junior engineers to keep up.
• Traditional learning relies on the apprentice model, which takes time.

Apprentice Model Limitations

• Relies on working closely with senior engineers, when available.
• Learning this way can be slow and inconsistent.
• Other professions have more structured learning paths.

Training Gaps in System Design

• Computer Science path focuses more on theory than practice.
• Coding Bootcamp path cover practical skills but lack holistic system design.
• Self Driven path attempts to gain intuition by isolated practice.

This Course's Solution

• Provide a simple framework for understanding systems.
• Develop senior-level intuition without years of experience.
• Gain holistic and building block understanding early in your career.

Course Goals

• Empower you to understand applications end-to-end.
• Learn fundamental building blocks: their workings, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Build that senior level intuition usually gained through years of experience.