Database Engineering & Data Systems Topics
Database design patterns, optimization, scaling strategies, storage technologies, data warehousing, and operational database management. Covers database selection criteria, query optimization, replication strategies, distributed databases, backup and recovery, and performance tuning at database layer. Distinct from Systems Architecture (which addresses service-level distribution) and Data Science (which addresses analytical approaches).
Mobile Database Design
Addresses design and optimization of local data storage for mobile and resource constrained environments. Topics include choosing between relational local databases and document or object databases, normalization versus denormalization trade offs on device, indexing and pagination strategies to minimize memory and CPU usage, efficient query patterns for limited compute, handling synchronization with remote servers including eventual consistency and conflict resolution strategies, transactional considerations on mobile platforms, and common mobile frameworks and libraries for local persistence. Emphasis is on pragmatic patterns to keep the local data layer responsive and battery friendly while supporting offline capabilities.
Client Caching and Offline Persistence
Client side caching and local data persistence strategies for applications, including in memory caches, disk based caches, and mobile platform storage options. Cover offline first design patterns where apps remain usable without network connectivity, synchronization and conflict resolution protocols for syncing local changes back to servers, eventual consistency and freshness trade offs, schema migrations and versioning for local stores, pagination and handling large data sets under device constraints, and platform specific considerations such as iOS (UserDefaults, Core Data, Realm, NSCache) and Android (SharedPreferences, SQLite, Room, Realm). Also include strategies for synchronizing state across views and components, background sync, and strategies to minimize data loss and reduce sync conflicts.
Mobile Data Storage and Persistence
Mobile application storage and data persistence patterns, trade offs, and security considerations across mobile platforms. Topics include small key value stores and preferences, local relational and object databases such as SQLite and platform native frameworks, file system storage and directory types, temporary versus cached versus persistent storage semantics, data lifecycle and retention policies, schema versioning and migration strategies, performance and concurrency considerations, synchronization and backup strategies, and secure storage options and encryption at rest. Also covers platform specific secure storage mechanisms for sensitive data, handling of credentials and tokens, avoiding hard coded secrets, secure data deletion, permission and sandboxing implications, and best practices for protecting user privacy and complying with data protection requirements.