Detailed Roadmap for Low-Level Design (LLD)
Step 1: Programming & OOP Foundations
• Master an OOP language (Java, C++, Python).
• Understand Classes, Objects, Constructors, and Destructors.
• Encapsulation, Abstraction, Inheritance, and Polymorphism.
• Access Modifiers and their real-world use cases.
• Practice building small systems (Library system, Student Management).
Step 2: UML (Unified Modeling Language)
• Class diagrams – relationships (association, aggregation, composition).
• Sequence diagrams – interactions between objects.
• Use-case diagrams – high-level behavior of systems.
• Activity diagrams – flow of control and processes.
• Component diagrams – system decomposition.
Step 3: Design Principles
• SOLID Principles:
• - Single Responsibility Principle.
• - Open/Closed Principle.
• - Liskov Substitution Principle.
• - Interface Segregation Principle.
• - Dependency Inversion Principle.
• DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) and KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid).
• YAGNI (You Aren’t Gonna Need It).
• Composition over Inheritance.
• Law of Demeter (LoD).
Step 4: Design Patterns (Creational)
• Singleton Pattern (Logger, DB Connection).
• Factory Method Pattern (Shape/Document creation).
• Abstract Factory Pattern (UI themes, cross-platform tools).
• Builder Pattern (Immutable objects, complex object creation).
• Prototype Pattern (cloning objects).
Step 5: Design Patterns (Structural)
• Adapter Pattern (interface compatibility).
• Decorator Pattern (extending functionality dynamically).
• Facade Pattern (simplified access to subsystems).
• Composite Pattern (tree-like structures e.g., files & folders).
• Proxy Pattern (virtual proxy, remote proxy).
• Bridge Pattern (separating abstraction from implementation).
• Flyweight Pattern (memory optimization).
Step 6: Design Patterns (Behavioral)
• Strategy Pattern (algorithm selection at runtime).
• Observer Pattern (pub-sub mechanism, notifications).
• Command Pattern (undo/redo functionality).
• Chain of Responsibility (request processing chain).
• State Pattern (state-dependent behavior).
• Template Method (skeleton of algorithm).
• Mediator Pattern (communication between multiple objects).
• Memento Pattern (restore state).
• Iterator Pattern (sequential access).
• Visitor Pattern (operations on object structures).
Step 7: Case Studies & Problem Solving
• Design a Parking Lot (OOP + classes + rules).
• Design a Library Management System.
• Design an Elevator System.
• Design a Movie Booking System (BookMyShow).
• Design a Food Delivery App (Swiggy, Zomato).
• Design Splitwise (expense sharing).
• Design an ATM Machine.
• Design an Online Shopping System (Amazon-like cart system).
• Design Chess/Ludo/Snake and Ladder.
Step 8: Advanced Topics
• Concurrency in LLD – thread safety, locks, synchronization.
• Rate Limiter Design (Token Bucket, Leaky Bucket).
• Caching strategies (LRU, LFU).
• Event-driven design and Pub-Sub.
• Message Queues (Kafka, RabbitMQ basics).
• Designing APIs with LLD in mind.
Step 9: Practice & Mock Interviews
• Solve 50–100 LLD case studies.
• Focus on class diagrams and relationships.
• Explain trade-offs in design decisions.
• Practice whiteboard coding and UML representation.
• Participate in mock interviews on platforms like Pramp, InterviewBit.
