Estimate how much data needs to be cached to maintain low latency. 3. High-Level Architecture

The ultimate foundational textbook for distributed systems. While not an interview prep book, it explains the fundamental mechanics of storage engines, replication, sharding, and consensus protocols. Interactive Online Platforms

Calculate the Read/Write QPS (Queries Per Second) and storage requirements for 5 years to understand if you are building a single-server system or a massive distributed network. Step 2: High-Level Architecture (10-15 Minutes)

It is particularly loved by engineers because it doesn’t just list technologies; it explains when and why to use them.