Data Model Design and Access Patterns Questions
Discuss how you'd design data models based on access patterns. Understand relational vs. NoSQL trade-offs. Know when to denormalize, how to handle distributed transactions, and strategies for scaling databases (sharding, partitioning). Discuss read vs. write optimization.
EasyTechnical
0 practiced
Explain normalization (1NF, 2NF, 3NF) and denormalization. Using a sample orders domain (customers, orders, order_items, products), explain when you would denormalize (embed, precompute, materialize) and what trade-offs (storage, update complexity, consistency, query latency) you would accept for read-heavy vs write-heavy workloads.
MediumSystem Design
0 practiced
You must architect multi-region replication for a database to ensure low read latency globally and disaster recovery. Discuss the trade-offs between active-active and active-passive replication, approaches to conflict resolution, replication lag handling, and how partitioning and data model choices influence cross-region latency and consistency.
MediumTechnical
0 practiced
Compare two-phase commit (2PC), the saga pattern, and idempotent compensating transactions for coordinating updates across multiple services or shards. For each pattern describe when you'd use it, its failure modes, impact on data modeling, and how it influences access patterns and user experience.
HardTechnical
0 practiced
Design a metadata store for data lineage across ETL pipelines and microservices. Requirements: store dataset schemas and versions, transformation steps, owners, and provide queries to show upstream and downstream impact. Include access controls, immutability/audit logs, and how you would model lineage for streaming vs batch jobs.
MediumTechnical
0 practiced
Design TTL and compaction strategies for chat messages where most messages are cold after 30 days but compliance requires archiving for two years. Propose a data model that supports fast recent queries and a retrieval path for archived messages, and discuss implications for indexing, search, and compliance holds.
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