System design reference
Concept Map & Glossary
Browse glossary terms
Traditional systems are the foundation; AI adds data, model, and control loops.
30 core concepts
From request path to distributed trade-offs
This is not a list to memorize. Follow five connected paths, then open any node for its definition and decision guide.
Find the problem before choosing the tool.
System overview
How one request moves through the system
See the main flow before exploring each concept group. A real system will not use every component; every node represents a conditional architecture choice.
Open any node for principles and trade-offs
01 · Request entry
02 · Synchronous read
03 · Asynchronous work
How a request reaches the system
From a user device to a service entry point: addressing, protocols, interfaces, traffic distribution, and protection.
How data is stored
From data model to scaling strategy: queries, copies, partitions, and redundancy.
How the system scales
Find the bottleneck, then add resources, add nodes, or shorten the delivery path.
How services collaborate asynchronously
Handle live updates, background work, external notifications, and duplicate messages.
Complete knowledge index
Explore every term
The concept map gives you the spine; the glossary adds mechanisms, failure modes, and deeper technical detail.
Showing 407 terms