HLD Sheet
Master High Level Design concepts with our comprehensive practice sheet. Learn system architecture, scalability, and distributed systems design.
HLD Sheet - Master High Level Design for Senior Engineering Interviews
Why HLD is Critical
- • Required for senior engineering roles
- • Tests system thinking and architecture skills
- • Covers scalability and performance design
- • Essential for tech lead positions
- • Real-world system design experience
HLD Topics Covered
- • Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
- • E-commerce (Amazon, Uber, Airbnb)
- • Streaming (Netflix, YouTube, Spotify)
- • Storage (Distributed Cache, CDN, Database)
- • Messaging (Chat, Notification, Email)
- • Search (Google Search, Elasticsearch)
HLD Interview Success Strategy
1. Start with Requirements
Clarify functional and non-functional requirements before designing.
2. Think Scalability
Design for millions of users, high throughput, and global distribution.
3. Consider Trade-offs
Balance consistency, availability, and partition tolerance (CAP theorem).
Popular HLD System Designs
Social Platforms
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Discord
E-commerce & Services
Amazon, Uber, Airbnb, Payment Systems, Inventory Management
Your Progress
Track your journey through High Level Design concepts
HLD Sheet Frequently Asked Questions
What is High Level Design (HLD)?
High Level Design focuses on system architecture, scalability, and how different components interact at a macro level. It involves designing distributed systems, microservices, and handling millions of users.
How is HLD different from LLD?
HLD deals with system architecture, databases, load balancers, and scalability, while LLD focuses on class design and code structure. HLD is about the big picture, LLD is about implementation details.
What systems should I know for HLD interviews?
Focus on popular systems like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, Uber, Amazon, WhatsApp, and Google Search. Understand their core features, scale, and technical challenges.
How do I approach an HLD interview question?
Start by clarifying requirements, estimate scale, identify core components, design APIs, create database schema, discuss scalability, and consider trade-offs. Always think about performance and reliability.
What technologies should I mention in HLD?
Discuss load balancers, CDNs, databases (SQL/NoSQL), caching (Redis), message queues (Kafka), microservices, containers, and cloud services (AWS, GCP, Azure).
Is HLD important for senior roles?
Absolutely! HLD is crucial for senior engineering, tech lead, and architect positions. It demonstrates your ability to design scalable, maintainable systems.