The Scalable

Lately, I've been eager to delve into writing and sharing my expertise in system design and building high scalable product. However, the topic of system design is incredibly broad, so I've been brainstorming how to narrow down my focus. After reflecting on my extensive experience interviewing 700+ Software Engineers, I've realized that many of them struggled with database design and SQL during the system design portion of their interviews.

It's not surprising, really, considering that database is the heart of most applications. Without a strong foundation in SQL for example, software engineers are likely to stumble when it comes to system design. As I thought more about this issue, I became convinced that a greater emphasis on SQL could benefit not only software engineers, but also other roles like Product Managers.

That's when I decide to write The Scalable (before: handsondb) that maybe 75% about how to use databases in real-world scenario.

Allow me to share a story that highlights this point.

Long time ago, I was consulting for a startup that had developed a new product to help K12 kids in finding their purpose. The product was a hit, and they were rapidly expanding their customer base. However, as the company grew, they began to experience issues with their application's performance.

After conducting an in-depth analysis of the system, I discovered that the root of the problem was with the SQL queries that the application was using. They were poorly written and inefficient, causing the system to struggle under the weight of the company's expanding customer base.

To address the issue, I worked closely with the software engineers to rewrite and optimize the SQL queries. We also implemented best practices for database indexing and query optimization. The results were staggering: the application's performance improved by over 200%, and customer satisfaction soared.

This experience taught me the power of SQL and how it can make or break an application's performance. By prioritizing SQL proficiency, software engineers can avoid the kinds of issues that plagued the startup I worked with. And it's not just software engineers who can benefit from this knowledge; Product Managers and others in related roles can also gain valuable insights by understanding the role that SQL plays in application development.

I believe that focusing on SQL is a crucial step towards improving the performance and functionality of applications. By emphasizing the importance of SQL in system design, we can empower software engineers and other stakeholders to build better products and provide a better experience for users.