iOS System Design for Self-Taught Developers

In this video, we break down the system design of a link shortener, one of the most popular interview and real-world architecture problems. Whether you're preparing for tech interviews or learning how to build scalable backend services for mobile apps, this session will guide you through the key components: URL encoding, database schema, hashing strategies, redirection flow, and scaling techniques like caching and load balancing.

We'll explain how to think through trade-offs, make key design decisions, and ensure your system is both efficient and fault-tolerant. Perfect for iOS developers who want to expand their backend and architectural thinking.

In this video, you'll learn how to design a scalable and efficient system for a video file uploader — the kind you'd find in apps like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube. We'll walk through the complete system architecture from the user’s mobile app to the backend infrastructure. Topics include how to handle large file uploads, use of cloud storage (like AWS S3 or Firebase), background uploading from mobile clients, metadata handling, video processing (compression and thumbnail generation), and strategies for performance optimization using caching and content delivery networks (CDNs). Whether you're preparing for a system design interview or building your own media platform, this video will give you a clear, step-by-step breakdown of how all the parts fit together.

In this video, we break down the system design behind a real-time location-sharing app that works for both small friend groups and large public communities. You'll learn how to architect scalable data models, handle high-frequency updates efficiently, and use techniques like throttling, pub/sub messaging, and role-based access control. We’ll also cover privacy, offline handling, and how to balance performance for different group sizes—all from the perspective of designing a modern, mobile-first app. Whether you’re preparing for a system design interview or building your own app, this guide will give you the technical clarity you need.

In this video, we explain what an application server is and why it's a critical component in modern software architecture. You'll learn how application servers handle business logic, connect front-end apps to databases and services, and support features like authentication, notifications, and real-time data processing. We’ll also walk through real-world examples—like a location-sharing app—and show how an application server fits into the overall system design. Whether you're new to backend development or preparing for a technical interview, this video will give you a clear and practical understanding of application servers and when to use them.

In this video, we break down what a message queue is and why it's a powerful tool in modern app development. Using real-world examples, like a location-sharing app, we’ll show how message queues help systems handle background tasks, scale under heavy traffic, and stay responsive—even when parts of the system are busy or offline. You'll learn how message queues act like "to-do lists" between services, enabling asynchronous processing and improving reliability. Whether you're a beginner or brushing up for a system design interview, this video will make the concept of message queues clear and practical.

In this video, we explain what a load balancer is in simple, beginner-friendly terms. You'll learn how load balancers work like traffic managers for your app, helping distribute user requests across multiple servers so no single one gets overloaded. We cover real-world examples, why load balancers are essential for high-traffic apps, and the different types—including DNS, Layer 4, Layer 7, and cloud-based options. Whether you're a developer, tech student, or just curious about backend systems, this video will give you a clear, practical understanding of how load balancers keep apps fast, stable, and scalable.