When users open X (formerly Twitter) and scroll through the “For You” tab, a recommendation system determines which posts to display and in what sequence. This recommendation system operates in real-time. In the realm of social media, low latency is critical, as any performance issues can lead to user dissatisfaction. Previously, the internal mechanisms of
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Uber’s infrastructure operates on thousands of microservices, each processing authorization decisions millions of times daily. This encompasses every API call, database query, and message published to Kafka. Crucially, these decisions must occur within microseconds to ensure an optimal user experience. Traditional access control mechanisms proved inadequate for such complexity. For example, policies might dictate that
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Discussions surrounding large language models (LLMs) and their ‘learning’ capabilities can inadvertently foster misconceptions. The term ‘learning’ often implies a process akin to human cognition, encompassing understanding, reasoning, and genuine insight. However, the internal mechanisms of these advanced systems operate differently. LLMs do not acquire knowledge in the manner humans learn to program or solve
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This week’s system design refresher covers various fundamental concepts including Transformers Step-by-Step Explained (Youtube video), Database Types essential for 2025, a comparison of Apache Kafka vs. RabbitMQ, an exploration of The HTTP Mindmap, and a detailed explanation of How DNS Works, alongside an inquiry into real-time updates from web servers. Transformers Step-by-Step Explained (Attention Is
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