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#Review — Is Mobile System Design Interview: An Insider’s Guide book by ByteByteGo Worth it?
#Review — Is Mobile System Design Interview: An Insider’s Guide book by ByteByteGo Worth it? Finally — a system design book that focuses on mobile apps. Here’s why ByteByteGo’s latest release deserves a spot on every engineer’s shelf. credit — ByteByteGo Hello guys, If you have been giving interviews recently then you may know that the System design interviews are no longer limited to backend engineers. With the rise of complex, large-scale mobile applications — from TikTok to Uber — mobile engineers today are expected to reason about architecture, scalability, and data flow just as deeply as their backend counterparts. That’s where Mobile System Design Interview: An Insider’s Guide book by ByteByteGo truly shines. If you don’t know ByteByteGo is a leading platform for coding and System design interview preparation which is created by Alex Xu, author of popular System Design Interview: An Insider’s Guide series of #books. After the success of his System Design books, he partnered with many other authors and FAANG experts to create many more books covering Generative AI System Design, ML System Design, and Object Oriented System Design. This is ByteByteGo’s latest release which is focused on System Design of Mobile applications. Written by Manuel Vicente Vivo, this book aims to fill the gap between mobile app development and system design thinking. Vivo, who brings years of Android experience and real-world architectural insights, takes the mystery out of mobile system design interviews and helps developers approach them with structure and confidence. By the way, if you don’t know, both books are published under ByteByteGo umbrella and they are also available on ByteByteGo website. If you are preparing for tech interview then ByteByteGo is one of the most popular resource and I highly recommend it. If always wanted to join then now is the best time as they are also offering 50% discount on their annual and lifetime plan, which makes them even more valuable. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews But is this book really worth adding to your prep list? Let’s take a deep dive. What does the Mobile System Design Interview Book Covers? The book is more than just theory — it’s a hands-on, structured guide for tackling tough interview questions like “Design YouTube,” “Build a chat app,” or “Create a stock trading platform.” It introduces a five-step framework that works for both Android and iOS engineers, helping readers break down open-ended design questions into understandable chunks. Each chapter walks you through realistic scenarios and end-to-end solutions. Here’s what makes this book stand out: * A step-by-step interview framework for designing mobile systems * Seven detailed case studies, including Chat App, YouTube, and Google Drive * 24 deep dives into mobile performance, offline sync, and scalable architecture * Over 175 technical topics covering the entire spectrum of mobile system design You’ll find not just high-level designs, but detailed discussions of trade-offs — data synchronization, caching, pagination, client-server communication, and network reliability. It’s the kind of content that turns an average app developer into a well-rounded mobile architect. If you’d like to grab a copy, you can check on Amazon here: Mobile System Design Interview: An Insider’s Guide Mobile System Design Interview: An Insider's Guide Who This Book Is For? This book is ideal for: * Mobile engineers preparing for system design interviews at FAANG and top startups * Senior developers or tech leads wanting to understand mobile architecture deeply * Engineering managers and CTOs who want to mentor or assess mobile teams effectively Even if you’re not interviewing right now, it’s a great resource for improving your understanding of mobile scalability and performance optimization. If you are an App developer and preparing for FAANG interviews then I highly recommend you to read this book. Alternatively you can also join ByteByteGo platform where you can not just get all the content of this book but all of the ByteByteGo books on System Design Coding interview. The best thing is that they are also offering 50% discount now for a limited time. Here is the link — Join ByteByteGo now for 50% OFF Why You Should Read It (and Why ByteByteGo Makes It Even Better) What makes Mobile System Design Interview: An Insider’s Guide even more valuable is that it comes from ByteByteGo — the same creators behind System Design Interview — An Insider’s Guide and Machine Learning System Design Interview. * Machine Learning System Design Interview * System Design Interview - An Insider's Guide: Volume 2 The ByteByteGo team has become the gold standard for system design education. Their platform offers in-depth courses, visual explanations, and new learning paths on OOP Design, Machine Learning System Design, and AI System Design — all presented in the same clear, visual-first style as their books. If you prefer interactive learning, you can explore these topics directly on the ByteByteGo platform — and right now, they’re offering an incredible 50% discount on both their lifetime and annual plans. That gives you full access to all their premium books, visual guides, and video-based courses for one price. Whether you’re preparing for your next mobile system design interview or want to master architecture across web, backend, and AI systems, ByteByteGo provides everything under one roof. 👉 You can check out the Lifetime Plan here on ByteByteGo. Compared to the annual subscriptions that add up over time, this one-time purchase makes sense for anyone who is serious about long-term career growth. Final Verdict If you’re a mobile engineer serious about cracking system design interviews or simply want to think more architecturally about your apps, Mobile System Design Interview: An Insider’s Guide is absolutely worth it. It brings clarity to a subject that most developers find intimidating and gives you a mental framework you can reuse across problems and platforms. Combine it with the ByteByteGo platform’s broader ecosystem of resources, and you have a complete learning toolkit for 2025 and beyond. So yes — this book isn’t just worth it; it’s one of the smartest investments you can make in your mobile engineering career. 👉 Get Mobile System Design Interview: An Insider’s Guide on Amazon 👉 You can explore the Lifetime Plan here: ByteByteGo System Design Platform. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews If you’re serious about cracking Mobile App system design interviews — or simply becoming a better engineer — it’s an investment that will pay dividends for years to come. Other System Design and Coding Interview and Resources you may like * 16 Best Resources for System Design Interview Prep * How Codemia.io helped me to learn System Design better? * Is Generative AI System Design Interview — Insider Guide worth it? * 10 Reasons to join Codemia.io for System Design Interview? * Is DesignGuru’s System Design Course worth it * I found Codemia.io — LeetCode for System Design? * Why ByteByteGo is the best website for Coding interview in 2025? * Why AlgoMonster is best platform for DSA Prepration in 2025 * Is Exponent’s System Design Course worth it? * Is OOP Design Interview — An Insider Guide worth it? * ByteBytego vs Exponent? which one is better? * 10 Best Places to Learn System Design in 2025 * Is Codemia.io 65% discount worth it? * Is Exponent Good Place for Coding Interview Prep? * 6 Best System Design and API Design Interactive Courses * Top 5 System Design YouTube Channels for Engineers * How to prepare for DSA for coding interviews? * 3 Places to Practice System Design Mock interviews * Is Designing Data-intensive application book worth reading? All the best for your Mobile System design and OOP Design Interviews, if you have any doubts or questions, feel free to ask in the comments.P. S. — If you just want to do one thing at this moment, join ByteByteGo and start learning software architecture fundamentals and you will thank me later. It’s one of the most comprehensive resource for coding interview now. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews --- Review — Is Mobile System Design Interview: An Insider’s Guide book by ByteByteGo Worth it? was originally published in Javarevisited on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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Stop Using Shared Mutable State — Embrace Immutability for Safer Code
Stop Using Shared Mutable State — Embrace Immutability for Safer Code Why shared mutable state causes subtle bugs — and how immutability (and tools like CodeRabbit) help you write safer, cleaner code. Hello guys, if you’ve ever spent hours debugging a concurrency issue or chasing down a mysterious side effect in production, chances are you’ve run into the consequences of shared mutable state. It’s one of those subtle #programming hazards that seems harmless — until your codebase grows and you realize you’re juggling landmines. In complex systems, especially those involving threads, asynchronous tasks, or reactive flows, shared mutable state is the silent killer of predictability.The same variable being read and modified by different parts of your system means you’re no longer in control of when or how its value changes. The result? Bugs that are hard to reproduce, harder to test, and sometimes nearly impossible to explain. That’s why developers across all ecosystems — from #Java and Kotlin to Python, Rust, and JavaScript — are turning to a more reliable paradigm: immutability. Why Shared Mutable State Is Dangerous? The phrase “shared mutable state” simply means a piece of data that: * Can be changed (mutable). * Is accessible from multiple parts of your program (shared). The combination creates chaos. Imagine multiple threads updating the same object at different times — one overwrites the other’s progress, unexpected side effects ripple through the system, and suddenly your logs look like a conspiracy theory. Even in single-threaded environments like JavaScript, shared mutable state can cause trouble when asynchronous operations mutate global or external state between callbacks. In short: mutable + shared = unpredictable. Embrace Immutability: A Safer Default Immutability means that once an object is created, it can’t be changed. Instead of modifying existing data, you create new instances with the updated values. This may sound inefficient at first, but modern languages and runtimes optimize immutable data structures heavily. The benefits far outweigh the cost: * Predictable behavior — No unexpected side effects. * Easier debugging — State transitions are explicit. * Thread safety — Immutable objects can be safely shared across threads. * Simpler testing — You can trust your data not to mutate mid-test. In functional programming languages like Haskell, Clojure, and Elixir, immutability is baked into the core philosophy. But even in OOP-heavy environments, you can apply the same principles. 4 Practical Steps to Move Toward Immutability You don’t need to rewrite your entire codebase in a purely functional style. Start small with these practices: 1. Prefer final or Const Declarations Mark variables as final (Java/Kotlin) or const (JavaScript/TypeScript) wherever possible. This signals intent and prevents accidental reassignment.final List users = List.of("Alice", "Bob", "Charlie"); // users.add("Eve"); // Compilation error – immutable list By marking variables final, you make sure they always point to the same reference, reducing the chances of accidental mutation 2. Use Immutable Data Structures Many libraries provide built-in immutable collections. * Java: List.of(), Map.of(), or Collections.unmodifiableList() * JavaScript: Libraries like Immutable.js or Immer * Python: Use frozenset or namedtuples for simple immutable types. Example:import java.util.*; public class ImmutableExample { public static void main(String[] args) { List names = List.of("Alice", "Bob", "Charlie"); // names.add("David"); // UnsupportedOperationException } } These built-in methods prevent modifications and are ideal for sharing state safely across threads. 3. Favor Pure Functions Over Side Effects Instead of modifying objects inside a method, return new objects with the desired changes.public record User(String name, int age) {} public class ImmutableUserExample { public static User celebrateBirthday(User user) { return new User(user.name(), user.age() + 1); } public static void main(String[] args) { User original = new User("Alice", 30); User updated = celebrateBirthday(original); System.out.println(original); // User[name=Alice, age=30] System.out.println(updated); // User[name=Alice, age=31] } } Records in Java 17+ are naturally immutable, making them perfect for this kind of design. 4. Avoid Global or Static Mutable State Global variables are a breeding ground for shared state issues. Instead, encapsulate state inside objects or pass it as parameters.public class Counter { private final int value; public Counter(int value) { this.value = value; } public Counter increment() { return new Counter(value + 1); } public int value() { return value; } } Each call to increment() returns a new Counter object—no mutation, no hidden side effects. Use Tools Like CodeRabbit to Detect Unsafe Mutations? Even with best intentions, it’s easy for mutable state to sneak into your code. That’s where AI-powered code review tools like CodeRabbit come in handy. CodeRabbit automatically reviews your pull requests, spots potential issues like unsafe state mutations, and even suggests refactors toward safer, immutable patterns. Instead of waiting for a production bug or a teammate to catch your mistake, CodeRabbit acts as your always-on pair programmer — helping you maintain clean, predictable, and maintainable codebases. It’s especially useful for teams adopting functional programming practices or modern architectural styles like event-driven systems, where data immutability plays a central role. If your team works with languages like Java, TypeScript, or Python, adding CodeRabbit to your workflow can drastically improve code quality while keeping reviews fast and consistent. The Bigger Picture: Immutability Leads to Stability The shift toward immutability is more than a #coding preference — it’s a mindset change. By designing software around immutable data, you reduce the complexity of reasoning about your system. Every state transition becomes explicit, testable, and auditable. And when you pair that with smart tools like CodeRabbit, you not only write safer code — you scale that safety across your entire team. So next time you’re tempted to reuse that mutable variable or tweak a shared object in place, pause. Instead of patching the symptom, embrace immutability — and you’ll find your codebase becomes more robust, reliable, and easier to evolve. All the best with your coding journey. !! --- Stop Using Shared Mutable State — Embrace Immutability for Safer Code was originally published in Javarevisited on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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Designing Data-Intensive Applications vs System Design Interview — An Insider’s Guide by Alex Xu?
Designing Data-Intensive Applications vs System Design Interview — An Insider’s Guide by Alex Xu? Which One Should You Read for Your System Design Interview? Hello guys, preparing for a system design interview can feel overwhelming as its very vast topic with no ends. Whether you’re aiming for a FAANG role or any company with large-scale distributed systems, you need more than coding skills — you need to show that you can architect real-world systems that scale, stay reliable, and meet evolving business requirements. And, when it comes to mastering System Design, two of the most recommended resources are Designing Data-Intensive Applications (DDIA) by Martin Kleppmann and System Design Interview — An Insider’s Guide (SDI) by Alex Xu. Both are widely praised, but they serve different purposes. If you’re pressed for time, which one should you pick? And how do they fit into a complete preparation strategy? Let’s break it down. * Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big Ideas Behind Reliable, Scalable, and Maintainable Systems * System Design Interview - An insider's guide 1. What Each Book Is About? Before going anywhere, let’s try to understand what’s each book is about? Which one is better to learn System Design fundamentals and which one is suited for System Design Interview preparation in short time. Designing Data-Intensive Applications (DDIA) Martin Kleppmann’s Designing Data-Intensive Applications is often called the “Bible of distributed systems.” It dives deep into how data systems — databases, caches, queues, streams — work under the hood. It explores consistency, replication, partitioning, fault tolerance, and the trade-offs that modern large-scale systems must navigate. Strength: Rigorous explanations of concepts like consensus algorithms, distributed transactions, and storage engines. Focus: Real-world data engineering and distributed systems fundamentals. Use Case: Perfect for engineers who want to understand the theory behind scalable systems and build long-term knowledge. You can grab it here: Designing Data-Intensive Applications (Amazon) I have also written a detailed review of this book which you can read here. System Design Interview — An Insider’s Guide (SDI) Alex Xu’s System Design Interview is laser-focused on interview preparation. Instead of deep theory, it provides a structured framework for answering open-ended system design questions, plus detailed walkthroughs of real interview problems like designing Twitter, Dropbox, or a URL shortener. It’s also a two part book where volume 1 covers fundamentals and frequently asked System Design questions and second part built upon that and cover more advanced concepts Strength: Clear step-by-step frameworks and practical examples that map directly to interview settings. Focus: Communication, trade-offs, and interview-ready designs. Use Case: Ideal for candidates who need to perform in an interview and want concrete strategies. You can find it here: System Design Interview — An Insider’s Guide (Amazon) By the way, if you are interested in this book then I highly recommend you to join ByteByteGo, where you will not just get this book but also volume 2 and Alex’s other #books on Object Oriented Design, Machine Learning System Design and Generative AI System Design. They are also offering 50% discount now on lifetime plan which offer best value. I just bought it and recommend same plan to you. Once you got that, you are set for any interview prep. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews 2. How They Differ in Approach Although both are great books for anyone who want to learn System Design and Software architecture, they differ significantly on what they teaches and how they teaches Goal * DDIA: Teaches deep distributed systems theory for long-term understanding. * SDI: Focuses on helping you ace system design interviews. Style * DDIA: Textbook-like, detailed, and concept-heavy. * SDI: Playbook style with clear, step-by-step frameworks. Learning Curve * DDIA: High — requires patience and some background in distributed systems. * SDI: Moderate — accessible to most engineers. Practical Exercises * DDIA: None; purely theoretical. * SDI: Includes interview-style case studies and example solutions. Time to Value * DDIA: Takes weeks or months to fully absorb and apply. * SDI: Delivers actionable preparation within days to weeks. Key takeaway If you have several months before your interviews, DDIA builds durable knowledge that will benefit your career. But if your interview is just weeks away, SDI offers fast, practical preparation. You can learn more about these books here * Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big Ideas Behind Reliable, Scalable, and Maintainable Systems * System Design Interview - An insider's guide 3. Which Book Should You Read First? The answer depends on your timeline and goals: * Short Timeline (Interview in 1–2 months): Start with System Design Interview. It’s tailored to interviews, helps you quickly structure answers, and covers the most frequently asked problems. * Long Timeline (Interview in 6+ months or career growth): Begin with Designing Data-Intensive Applications to master core concepts, then move to System Design Interview to learn how to communicate those concepts in interviews. * Ideal Strategy: Read SDI first to get comfortable with interview expectations, then gradually work through DDIA to deepen your understanding for future growth. Here is the link to get the SDI book — System Design Interview 4. Why You Still Need Practice Beyond Books Both System Design books are excellent, but reading alone is not enough. System design interviews are as much about communication and trade-off reasoning as technical knowledge. You’ll need to practice: * Explaining architecture diagrams on a whiteboard or shared doc * Estimating scale (requests/sec, storage needs, bandwidth) * Handling vague requirements and changing constraints This is where an interactive learning platform like Codemia.io and Bugfree.ai adds huge value. They provide platforms and tools so that you can practice System design questions live online and also sharpen your System design skills. * Master System Design Interviews Through Active Practice * Master System Design & Behavioral Interviews Like Leetcode 5. ByteByteGo — A Complete System Design Prep Platform If you want a structured, end-to-end solution, ByteByteGo is one of the best investments you can make. Co-founded by Alex Xu (the author of System Design Interview), ByteByteGo combines: * A complete courses on system design, distributed systems, and machine learning system design * Weekly deep dives with fresh case studies (covering new tech like LLMs, event-driven architecture, and real production systems) * Frameworks and mock interview guides to bridge the gap between theory and real interviews Right now, they’re offering an exclusive 50% discount on their annual and lifetime plan, making it a one-time investment for ongoing content updates. For anyone preparing for FAANG or senior engineering roles, this is arguably the most cost-effective and complete package available. 👉 Check out ByteByteGo’s Lifetime Plan (50% Off) 6. Final Recommendation If your main goal is to crack an upcoming system design interview, start with System Design Interview — An Insider’s Guide. It gives you a clear framework, dozens of practical examples, and the confidence to perform well under pressure. If you have the time and want to build long-term mastery, read Designing Data-Intensive Applications. It’s more challenging, but it will transform how you think about distributed systems and make you a stronger engineer beyond the interview. For most candidates, the winning combination looks like this: * Read SDI to learn interview techniques. * Practice on ByteByteGo to reinforce concepts with real examples and mock interviews. * Study DDIA when you want to go deeper and stand out as a systems expert. By blending these resources, you’ll cover both short-term performance and long-term career growth — and with ByteByteGo’s 50% lifetime offer, you can get everything you need in one place. Quick Links: * Designing Data-Intensive Applications (Amazon) * System Design Interview — An Insider’s Guide (Amazon) * ByteByteGo Platform — Lifetime Plan 50% Off In summary: read Alex Xu’s book to win the interview, read Kleppmann’s book to build enduring expertise, and use ByteByteGo to practice like you’re already in the interview room. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews Other System Design and Coding Interview and Resources you may like * Is OOP Design Interview — An Insider Guide worth it? * ByteByteGo vs Udemy? Which is better for System Design inteviews? * 16 Best Resources for System Design Interview Prep * ByteByteGo 50% OFF? Should you Join? * Is ByteByteGo a good place to learn Software Architecture? * Should you join ByteByteGo to learn System Design? * Is System Design Interview RoadMap by DesignGurus worth it? * Is Exponent’s System Design Course worth it? * Is DesignGuru’s System Design Course worth it * Why AlgoMonster is best platform for DSA Prepration in 2025 * ByteByteGo vs NeetCode vs Educative? which one is better? * DesignGurus.io Review 2025 — Is it worth it? * Is ByteByteGo a good place for Coding interviews? * 3 Free Books and Courses for System Design Interviews * ByteBytego vs Exponent? which one is better? * Is Exponent Good Place for Coding Interview Prep? * ByteByteGo vs Udemy? Which one is better for System Design? * 6 Best System Design and API Design Interactive Courses * Top 5 System Design YouTube Channels for Engineers * How to prepare for DSA for coding interviews? All the best for your System Design interview preparation and leanring journey , if you have any doubts or questions, feel free to ask in the comments. P. S. — If you just want to do one thing at this moment, join ByteByteGo and start learning software architecture fundamentals and you will thank me later. It’s one of the most comprehensive resource for coding interview now. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews --- Designing Data-Intensive Applications vs System Design Interview — An Insider’s Guide by Alex Xu? was originally published in Javarevisited on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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4 Examples of CASE expression in SQL
What is CASE and where is it used? When a condition is met, the CASE statement evaluates different conditions and returns a scalar value. The phrase from the ELSE block will be returned if none of the conditions are evaluated to TRUE. The ELSE block, however, is optional. Above all, the CASE statement has two formats Simple CASE & Searched CASE. The Searched CASE statement is highlighted in this post. To get the results, you'll need to use search and pattern matching. 4 CASE statement usages ane Examples Now let's see different types of CASE statement and their example to understand this key SQL concept in detail. 1. Simple CASE statement We may use a simple CASE expression to compare various expressions instead of creating stacked IF statements. A basic CASE expression compares the first expression to the WHEN clause expression in this way.  If there is a match, the expression following THEN is evaluated; otherwise, the expression in the ELSE block is evaluated. It's worth noting that the ELSE block is optional. A simple CASE statement has the below-given syntax : CASE WHEN condition1 THEN result1 WHEN condition2 THEN result2 WHEN conditionN THEN resultN ELSE result END; Now, let's work on a real-time example. Let's create a table named Customers with the following sample data as shown below :  Now, let's write a CASE statement and demonstrate how and why it is used. let's write a CASE statement by filtering countries. Let's do it for 2 countries Germany, Mexico, and the rest. The Query would be like something below :  SELECT CustomerID, CustomerName, City, CASE WHEN Country = 'Germany' THEN 'German it is sire!' WHEN Country = 'Mexico' THEN 'The country of Pablo!' ELSE 'None other matters' END AS CountryDescription FROM Customers; The result of the above query would be something like this :  2. searched CASE CASE was searched, and SIMPLE was expanded. This analyses a collection of boolean expressions, such as pattern matching and range comparisons. If any of the boolean expressions is TRUE, then the expression after THEN is evaluated. If none of the boolean expressions after WHEN evaluate to TRUE, the ELSE block is evaluated. Economy class is defined as a wage that is higher than 500 but less than 2000. Furthermore, a salary of more than $2,000 is classified as a premium. If the salary falls outside of a set range, an ELSE block with no travel is provided. The query for the same will be :  SELECT ID, Name, Gender, Salary, CASE WHEN Salary >= 500 AND Salary < 2000 THEN 'Economy Class' WHEN Salary >= 2000 THEN 'Premium Class' ELSE 'No Travel' END TravelMode FROM (VALUES (1,'Vish', 'M', 100) ,(2,'Atul', 'M', 200) ,(3,'Vishal','M', 500) ,(4,'Kasturi','F',2000) ,(5,'Belinda','F',5000)) as Emp(Id, Name, Gender, Salary); The resultant would look like below :  ID Name Gender Salary TravelMode ----------- ------- ------ ----------- ------------- 1 Vish M 100 No Travel 2 Atul M 200 No Travel 3 Vishal M 500 Economy Class 4 Kasturi F 2000 Premium Class 5 Belinda F 5000 Premium Class 3. Searched CASE with IN, OR and, LIKE operator This example shows how to utilise CASE expressions with various clauses and operators. The IN, OR, and LIKE operators are used for pattern matching and comparison in the query below. In this situation, the IN and OR operators are practically identical. LIKE allows us to use pattern matching with ease. The query would look like this :  SELECT ID, Name, Gender, Salary, CASE WHEN Name IN ('Atul', 'Belinda') THEN 'Class 1' WHEN Name LIKE 'K%' THEN 'Class 2' WHEN (NAME = 'Vish' OR Name = 'Vishal') THEN 'Class 3' ELSE 'No Class' END as ClassInfo FROM (VALUES (1,'Vish', 'M', 100) ,(2,'Atul', 'M', 200) ,(3,'Vishal','M', 500) ,(4,'Kasturi','F',2000) ,(5,'Belinda','F',5000) ,(5,'Simona','M',5000)) as Emp(Id, Name, Gender, Salary); The answer we get from the above query would look like below :  4. Searched CASE Expression with CHARINDEX & PATINDEX Similarly, with the searched CASE, use the CHARINDEX and PATINDEX functions. The following example shows how to use the CHARINDEX function to determine if a character occurs in any given name. Pattern matching with PATINDEX to see if (Underscore) appears anywhere in the name column. The query would look like this :  SELECT ID, Name, Gender, Salary, CASE WHEN CHARINDEX('s', Name) > 0 THEN 'Contains char s' WHEN PATINDEX('%_%',Name) > 0 THen 'Underscore Exists' ELSE 'Optional' END as ClassInfo FROM (VALUES (1,'Vish', 'M', 100) ,(2,'Atul_', 'M', 200) ,(3,'Vishal','M', 500) ,(4,'Kasturi','F',2000) ,(5,'Belinda_','F',5000) ,(5,'Simona','M',5000)) as Emp(Id, Name, Gender, Salary); The answer we get from the above query would look like below :  ID Name Gender Salary ClassInfo ----------- -------- ------ ----------- ----------------- 1 Vish M 100 Contains char s 2 Atul_ M 200 Underscore Exists 3 Vishal M 500 Contains char s 4 Kasturi F 2000 Contains char s 5 Belinda_ F 5000 Underscore Exists 5 Simona M 5000 Contains char s Conclusion That's all about the CASE expression in SQL. In this tutorial, you have learned about the Searched CASE expression in this post. The two most popular forms are simple and searched cases. In comparison to Simple, we can accomplish more with Searched case thanks to extended pattern machining and the usage of functions. Furthermore, the majority of the functions interact with Searched CASE in order to do more. My Other SQL Articles and Tutorials you may like * Difference between DDL and DML commands in SQL * How to remove duplicate rows in SQL * How to concatenate columns in SQL * How to find Nth Highest salary in SQL * How to use Cross Join in SQL * How to use ORDER BY in SQL with example * How to use row_number function in SQL * 15 SQL Interview Questions with Answers * How to use LEFT, RIGHT, and SELF JOIN * What is a Virtual column in MySQL? Example * How to do pagination in SQL with Examples * How to transpose data in SQL with examples Thanks for reading this article so far. If you like these common examples of CASE expression in SQL  then please share it with your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions or feedback then please drop a note. 
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Top 30 MySQL Interview Questions for 2 to 3 Years Experienced Developers
Hello guys, if you are preparing for MySQL interviews or you are preparing for a tech interviews where MySQL skills are needed and you are looking for MySQL questions then you have come to the right place. Earlier, I have shared 15 SQL queries from interviews and 30 Database Interview Questions and in this article, I am going to share 50+ MySQL questions which you can practice before interviews. These MySQL question touches many different topics on MySQL like Database and SQL related as well MySQL engine specific questions like MyISAM vs InnoDB etc. 15 Common MySQL Concepts Questions for Interviews Here are some common MySQL questions that you may encounter in a job interview: 1. What is MySQL and how does it differ from other relational databases?MySQL is an open-source relational database management system known for its speed, reliability, and ease of use. It stands out with widespread community support, making it a popular choice for developers. Its versatility and scalability distinguish it from other relational databases, offering a robust solution for various applications. 2. What are the main features of MySQL?MySQL's main features include open-source availability, user-friendly setup and management, scalability for growing datasets, and high reliability with strong data integrity. It ensures high performance, supports multiple operating systems, incorporates robust security measures, and benefits from a vibrant community for ongoing support and development. 3. What are the benefits and drawbacks of using MySQL?Benefits of MySQL include open-source flexibility, ease of use, scalability, and strong community support. Drawbacks may involve potential performance issues with complex queries, limited support for some advanced features compared to enterprise databases, and the need for proper configuration to handle large datasets efficiently. 4. How do you design and implement a MySQL database? Designing and implementing a MySQL database involves several key steps. First, define the database requirements, including data entities, relationships, and constraints. Create a conceptual data model and then transform it into a logical model, specifying tables, columns, and primary/foreign keys. Normalize the database to minimize redundancy and ensure data integrity. Choose appropriate data types and set up indexing for performance optimization. Implement the database using SQL statements to create tables, views, and stored procedures.  Regularly back up the database to prevent data loss, and consider scalability aspects for future growth. Testing and refining the database design as needed is crucial to ensure efficiency and meet application requirements. 5. How do you optimize the performance of a MySQL database?You can optimize MySQL performance by indexing frequently queried columns, using appropriate data types, caching queries, and optimizing SQL queries. Regularly analyze and optimize database schema, implement proper normalization, and consider denormalization for read-heavy workloads. You can also utilize MySQL's built-in performance tuning tools, monitor server resources, and adjust configuration parameters such as buffer sizes and caching settings. Regularly update statistics, optimize storage engines, and consider partitioning large tables. 6. What is data consistency and data integrity in MySQL?Data consistency in MySQL ensures that data is accurate and reliable throughout the database. It involves maintaining a uniform and valid state of data. Data integrity, on the other hand, ensures that data is accurate and conforms to defined rules and constraints, such as primary key uniqueness and foreign key relationships. In MySQL, constraints, transactions, and normalization are mechanisms used to enforce data integrity and consistency. 7. What is data replication and data partitioning in MySQL?Data replication in MySQL involves creating and maintaining multiple copies of the same data on different database servers. It enhances fault tolerance, enables load balancing, and supports disaster recovery. MySQL provides various replication methods, including master-slave and master-master configurations. Data partitioning in MySQL involves dividing large tables into smaller, more manageable partitions based on certain criteria such as range, list, or hash. This can improve query performance, simplify data management, and enhance parallelism in data processing. Each partition operates independently, allowing for more efficient storage and retrieval of specific subsets of data. 8. How do you handle data backups and data recovery in MySQL?You can handle data backups in MySQL by regularly using the mysqldump tool or MySQL Enterprise Backup for logical and physical backups, respectively. You an also implement a schedule for automated backups and store them in a secure location.  Consider using binary logs for point-in-time recovery. For data recovery, restore from the latest backup using mysql or MySQL Workbench. Monitor and test the backup and recovery processes to ensure reliability in case of data loss or system failures 9. What is data security and data encryption in MySQL? 10.What is data migration and data integration in MySQL? 11. How do you handle data modeling and data normalization in MySQL? 12. How to handle data indexing and data querying in MySQL?For data indexing in MySQL, identify frequently queried columns and create indexes on them using appropriate types (e.g., B-tree or full-text indexes). Strike a balance between indexing for improved query performance and avoiding over-indexing, which can impact write operations. Regularly analyze query execution plans to identify optimization opportunities. When handling data querying, optimize SQL queries by using proper indexing, avoiding SELECT * when unnecessary, and limiting the use of wildcards in WHERE clauses. Optimize complex queries by understanding and leveraging MySQL's query optimization features, such as the EXPLAIN statement. Monitor and tune the database server's performance parameters to ensure efficient data retrieval. 13. What is data monitoring and data troubleshooting in MySQL? 14. How do you handle data scalability and data partitioning in MySQL?You can handle data scalability in MySQL by considering techniques like horizontal partitioning and sharding. Horizontal partitioning involves distributing rows of a table across multiple servers, while sharding involves distributing different tables or databases across servers.  Use tools like MySQL Cluster or MySQL Router to manage a sharded environment. Additionally, optimize queries, utilize caching mechanisms, and consider read replicas to distribute read workload. For data partitioning, leverage MySQL's built-in features like RANGE, LIST, or HASH partitioning to divide large tables into smaller, manageable partitions. This can enhance query performance, simplify data management, and improve parallelism in data processing. Each partition operates independently, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of specific data subsets. Regularly monitor and adjust partitioning strategies as data grows. 15. How do you handle data governance and data lifecycle management in MySQL? 16. Can you explain how MySQL Database work?Here is a diagram which explains logical architecture of MySQL database with key components like query cache, parser and storage It's also worth noting that these MySQL questions are just examples and you may nor may not get these questions. In fact questions that you may encounter in an interview will depend on the company, the job, and the specific requirements of the project. It's important to prepare and understand the concepts and best practices of MySQL and to be able to demonstrate your experience and skills in this area. 15 MySQL Command Interview Questions So far, we have seen theory based MySQL questions and now its time to see essential MySQL commands that you may be asked about in a job interview: 1. How do you connect to a MySQL server? 2. Write SQL query to create a new database and a new table in MySQL?To create a new database and a new table in MySQL, you can use the following SQL queries: Create a new database: $ CREATE DATABASE IF NOT EXISTS Trade; Switch to the newly created database: $ Use Trade Now, Create a new table within the database: CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS Futures (    column1 datatype1,    column2 datatype2,    column3 datatype3,    -- add more columns as needed    PRIMARY KEY (column1)); 3. How do you insert, update, and delete data in a MySQL table? 4. How do you select data from a MySQL table? 5. How to use SQL joins to retrieve data from multiple tables? 6. How do you create and drop indexes in MySQL? Give Exampleshint - Here is the command to create index in MySQL 7. Can you please explain transactions and locking in MySQL? 8. How do you use stored procedures and functions in MySQL? 9. How do you use views and triggers in MySQL? 10. What is constraints and foreign keys in MySQL? 11. How to use backup and restore commands in MySQL? 12. What is LIMIT keyword in MySQL? how to use it? In MySQL, the LIMIT keyword is used in a SELECT query to restrict the number of rows returned by the query. It is particularly useful when dealing with large datasets or when you only need a specific subset of rows. The basic syntax is as follows: SELECT column1, column2, ...FROM your_tableLIMIT number_of_rows; Here's a brief explanation of how to use the LIMIT keyword: Example 1: Retrieve the first N rows: SELECT * FROM your_tableLIMIT 10; This query retrieves the first 10 rows from the specified table. Example 2: Retrieve a specific range of rows: SELECT * FROM your_tableLIMIT 20, 10; This query skips the first 20 rows and then retrieves the next 10 rows, useful for paginating results. The LIMIT clause takes one or two arguments. If one argument is provided, it specifies the maximum number of rows to return. If two arguments are provided, the first one specifies the starting point (offset) and the second one specifies the number of rows to return. Keep in mind that the order of rows is important when using LIMIT, and you may want to use an ORDER BY clause to ensure the desired order of results. 13. How do you find the Nth highest salary in MySQL? 14. How to find the second highest salary in MySQL? 15. How do you use the command line client to administer a MySQL server? 16. How do you use the SHOW and EXPLAIN commands to troubleshoot and optimize queries? 17. Explain GRANT and REVOKE commands to manage user permissions? 18. How do you use the OPTIMIZE and ANALYZE table commands to improve performance? That's all about 30 MySQL questions for practice. If you have worked in MySQL database then you can easily answer these questions but if you haven't then you need to prepare. These questions will also give you idea about which topic to prepare and which concepts are important from an interview point of view. All the best for you interview and if you have any doubt feel free to ask in comments.  Other SQL and Database Articles you may like: * Difference between UNION and UNION ALL in SQL * 10 Examples of ALTER command in SQL * MySQL vs NoSQL comparison * Difference between Self and Equi join in SQL * What are T-SQL Window Functions? * How to use Stored Procedure in SQL? * 4 Examples of CASE expression in SQL Server * How to create and rollback transaction in database? * How to convert String to Date in SQL? * How to use WHERE and HAVING clause in SQL * How to find top 10 Records in SQL * Difference between Truncate, Drop, and Delete in SQL Thanks for reading this article so far. If you have any questions or doubt feel free to ask. 
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Review — Is Educative a Good Place to Learn #AI and #LLM Engineering?
Review — Is Educative a Good Place to Learn #AI and #LLM Engineering? My favorite Artificial Intelligence, Gen AI and LLM courses on Educative.io Hello guys, Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept — it’s a cornerstone of modern software development, product strategy, and innovation. From large language models (LLMs) to AI-powered tools, understanding how AI works and knowing how to build with it has become essential for developers, product managers, and tech leaders alike. With so many online learning platforms, it can be overwhelming to pick the right one. That’s where Educative.io stands out as a highly practical, developer-friendly option for mastering AI in 2026. I’ve explored dozens of AI courses, and if your goal is to become an LLM engineer, AI architect, or a tech leader fluent in AI, these five Educative courses are among the best resources to prepare for 2025 and beyond. And at the end, I’ll explain why Educative Unlimited is the smartest choice if you want full access to these courses and many more. Educative Unlimited: Excel with AI-Powered Learning My Favorite Educative Courses to Learn AI and LLM Engineering in 2025 Here are the top Educative courses for AI and LLM engineering — interactive, project-driven, and designed for real-world application. I’ve also included skill paths that help you become an Agentic AI Engineer or an LLM Engineer. 1. Become an LLM Engineer (Skill Path | Best for Engineers & Developers) This flagship Skill Path takes you from the basics of generative AI and prompt engineering all the way to building production-grade AI applications. You will learn LangChain workflows, RAG systems, fine-tuning with LoRA/QLoRA, and AI agent creation with CrewAI. Highlights: * Prompt engineering & OpenAI API usage * Vector databases for RAG workflows * Fine-tuning techniques with LoRA & QLoRA * AI Agent creation with CrewAI Ideal for: Engineers who want to go beyond prompts to build real-world GenAI applications. Join here — Become an LLM Engineer Become an LLM Engineer - AI-Powered Learning for Developers 2. Grokking AI for Engineering & Product Managers (Best for Tech Leads & PMs) Not everyone building AI products needs to code AI models. This course is tailored for product managers, tech leads, and founders who want a solid understanding of AI, ML, ethical design, and real-world applications. Learn: * Core AI and ML concepts (no coding required) * AI algorithms and evaluation metrics * Ethical AI design and risk mitigation * Real-world case studies for product strategy Ideal for: Tech leaders and decision-makers in AI-driven organizations. Join here — Grokking AI for Engineering & Product Managers Grokking AI for Engineering & Product Managers - AI-Powered Course 3. Generative AI Essentials (Best for Beginners & Tech Enthusiasts) Want a clear, practical introduction to GenAI? This course covers the evolution of AI, multimodal applications, and how large language models power tools like ChatGPT. Highlights: * Pretraining, fine-tuning, and foundation models * Sequence models, transformers, and attention mechanisms * Multi-modal AI: vision, audio, and text Ideal for: Beginners looking to grasp AI concepts and practical applications. Join here — Generative AI Essentials Generative AI Essentials - AI-Powered Course 4. Master GitHub Copilot (Best for Everyday Coders & AI-Assisted Development) GitHub Copilot is transforming the way developers write code. This course teaches integration techniques, debugging, AI-assisted pull requests, and responsible AI use in coding. Learn: * Copilot prompting and workflow optimization * AI-assisted testing and debugging * Integrating AI into GitHub workflows Ideal for: Developers who want to work faster and smarter using AI. Join here — Master GitHub Copilot Master GitHub Copilot - AI-Powered Course 5. Code Smarter with Cursor AI Editor (Best for VS Code Users & Productivity-Focused Developers) Cursor AI is an AI-first IDE, and this course teaches how to use it for natural language code navigation, debugging, and building projects like a Django Wordle clone. Highlights: * Setup and efficient usage of Cursor IDE * AI-assisted project management and code generation * Debugging, testing, and full-stack project building Ideal for: Developers wanting AI-assisted productivity without leaving VS Code. Join here — Code Smarter with Cursor AI Editor Learn Cursor AI: Code Smarter and Build Anything with AI 6. Become an Agentic AI Expert For those fascinated by AI agents that can make decisions and work autonomously, this Skill Path is essential. Learn multi-agent systems, prompt engineering, and RAG-powered AI workflows. Join here — Become an Agentic AI Expert Become an Agentic AI Expert - AI-Powered Learning for Developers Why Educative.io is Perfect for Learning AI & LLM Engineering ? Educative stands out because of its text-based, interactive learning platform. Unlike video-heavy platforms, you can learn hands-on without juggling IDEs or local setups. Benefits: * Real-world AI/LLM use cases * Project-based hands-on labs * Structured learning paths curated by experts * Measurable takeaways for career growth And with Educative Unlimited, you get full access to 1200+ courses, including all AI resources, at a fraction of the cost of individual courses. Right now, Educative offers a huge 55% discount on yearly subscriptions, making it an ideal time to invest in your AI career. Here is the link to get discount — Educative.io Unlimited 55% OFF With this subscription model, you can now just pay once and get a full access to every course on Educative. Conclusion AI and LLMs are shaping the future of technology, from development workflows to product strategy. Whether you’re a developer, product manager, or tech leader, mastering AI is no longer optional — it’s essential. Educative.io provides a practical, project-driven learning path to stay ahead of the curve. With its interactive courses, structured skill paths, and the Unlimited subscription, Educative is one of the smartest places to learn AI in 2026. Start your AI journey today — Educative Unlimited Educative Unlimited: Excel with AI-Powered Learning Other Awesome Resources from Educative.io You may like * 5 Best Courses and Projects to Learn AI and ML in 2025 * 5 Projects You can Build to become an AI Engineer * 5 Educative Courses to learn AI and LLM Engineering? * Top 5 Programming Language to Learn in 2025 * 10 Best Tech Interview Prep resources for developers * 10 Best Educative Courses for Software Engineers * 10 Best AWS Labs You can do to Learn Cloud Better * Is Educative Unlimited worth hit? Review * Top 5 Grokking Courses on Educative.io for Cracking Coding Interviews * Top 5 Educative Courses to Take in 2025 * 5 Best Educative.io Courses to Learn Generative AI and ChatGPT in 2024 * 5 Best Educative.io Courses to Learn Cloud Computing in 2025 Thanks for reading this article so far. If you like these AI, ML and LLM Engineering resources from Educative then please share with your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to leave a comment. P. S. — If you are new to AI and LLM Engineering worth then I also suggest you to go through this Machine Learning Handbook and Generative AI Handbook, both are great resources for any who want to learn Artificial Intelligence in depth. Machine Learning Handbook - Free AI-Powered Course --- Review — Is Educative a Good Place to Learn AI and LLM Engineering? was originally published in Javarevisited on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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#Review — Is Machine Learning System Design Interview Worth It?
#Review — Is Machine Learning System Design Interview Worth It? Is Machine Learning System Design Interview by Ali Aminian & Alex Xu worth reading? Hello guys, when it comes to preparing for machine learning (ML) system design interviews, many candidates quickly realize that knowing algorithms and models is not enough. Companies like Google, Amazon, Meta, and other large tech firms don’t just want to see if you can train a model; they want to see if you can design a scalable, reliable, and efficient machine learning system that works in the real world. This is where #books and structured guides become invaluable, and one of the most popular resources in this space is Machine Learning System Design Interview by Ali Aminian and Alex Xu. Machine Learning System Design Interview If you’ve heard of Alex Xu, you’ll know him as the author behind the well-regarded System Design Interview books and the co-founder of ByteByteGo, a platform dedicated to helping engineers crack coding, system design, and ML interviews. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews Together with Ali Aminian, an ML engineer with deep industry experience, they created a focused guide to help ML engineers and data scientists succeed in one of the toughest rounds: machine learning system design. But the big question remains: is this book actually worth your time and money? Let’s dive in. What does the Book Cover? Machine Learning System Design Interview provides a step-by-step framework to approach ML system design questions, making it especially useful if you’ve never faced these types of interviews before. Some of the key highlights include: * Structured frameworks for answering open-ended ML design questions. * Case studies of real systems such as video search, visual search, recommendation engines, and harmful content detection. * Coverage beyond just models — dataset collection, feature engineering, metrics, model serving, scaling, and monitoring. * Clear diagrams and visuals to help you communicate effectively in interviews. You can check it out on Amazon here. Machine Learning System Design Interview Strengths of the Book Here are the strong point of books which also separate it from other Machine Learning interview books I have shared earlier. * Clear Structure The book gives you a repeatable framework so you don’t get lost when faced with vague interview questions. * Realistic Case Studies Each example reflects challenges you’ll face in practice, from recommendation engines to fraud detection systems. * Focus on the Full ML Lifecycle Unlike many interview resources that stop at models and algorithms, this book emphasizes data pipelines, serving infrastructure, monitoring, and trade-offs. * Great Visuals The diagrams make it easier to both understand and present your answers — a skill interviewers really value. It also cover many case studies and solution of popular ML Engineering interview questions. Overall a great resource to prepare for ML System Design interview and the best thing is that this book is now available on ByteByteGo along with Alex’s other System Design books And, you can now get ByteByteGo lifetime plan for 50% OFF as well, I just bought it and I highly recommend it because then you can use this resource anytime you go for interview. Here is the link — join ByteByteGo with 50% Discount Limitations — What Could be done better? No single book can cover every angle of ML system design, and this one has a few gaps: * It doesn’t go extremely deep into cutting-edge or specialized ML infra (e.g., distributed training, edge ML, or large-scale data engineering pipelines). * It assumes you already have a baseline understanding of ML fundamentals. Beginners may need to start with core ML resources before diving in. * Real interviews often include unexpected constraints or product trade-offs, so you’ll need additional mock interview practice alongside reading. You can actually combine this book with mock interview platforms like Exponent and DesignGurus.io for better preparation. I highly recommend mock interviews for best results. * Interview prep for product, engineering, data science, and more - Exponent * Tech Interview Preparation - System Design, Coding & Behavioral Courses | Design Gurus Who Will Benefit Most? Here are the folks I think will benefit most from reading this books: * New grads / junior ML engineers: Very high benefit. The structure and examples help avoid common mistakes and give you confidence. * Mid-level engineers: High benefit. You’ll sharpen your system thinking and learn to communicate designs effectively. * Senior ML engineers / specialized roles: Moderate benefit. It’s a good refresher but you’ll need to supplement with research papers, production experience, and deeper system design knowledge. If you fall in one of these categories or genuinely want to improve your knowledge of System Design and in particularly machine learning System Design then you can also read this book. Here is the link to get the book — Machine Learning System Design Interview Comparison with Other Resources So how does Machine Learning System Design Interview stack up against other prep materials? * System Design Interview books (by Alex Xu) — These are great for general system design but don’t cover ML specifics. If you’re preparing for ML roles, you’ll need the ML-focused book alongside them. * Designing Machine Learning Systems by Chip Huyen — This book goes deeper into real-world production ML systems and MLOps, but it’s less focused on interview preparation. It’s great as a complement. * Courses like Exponent or DesignGurus ML System Design tracks — These give you practice via mock interviews, which is something a book alone can’t provide. * ByteByteGo Platform — The book is excellent on its own, but ByteByteGo’s online platform takes it further with videos, weekly system design deep dives, and ML design case studies. It’s more interactive and helps you practice at scale. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews If you want a complete package, I’d strongly recommend pairing the book with the ByteByteGo platform, especially now that they’re running a 50% lifetime discount. With that, you get access not only to ML system design content but also to coding interview prep, general system design guides, and weekly updates that keep you ahead of the curve. You can check it out here: ByteByteGo Platform — Lifetime Plan (50% Off). Is Machine Learning System Design Book Worth It? Yes — Machine Learning System Design Interview is definitely worth it if you’re serious about preparing for ML interviews in 2025 and beyond. It gives you structure, real examples, and a strong foundation for thinking through ML system problems in a clear, interview-ready way. That said, the book works best when paired with practice and complementary resources. For the best results, use it together with mock interviews, deeper ML systems references, and platforms like ByteByteGo, which expand the coverage and provide ongoing updates. If I were preparing for ML interviews at FAANG-level companies in 2025, I would make this book my starting point and then supplement it with ByteByteGo’s lifetime package — especially while the 50% discount is available. It’s one of the smartest investments you can make in your interview prep journey. 👉 Get the book here: Machine Learning System Design Interview (Amazon) 👉 Explore the full platform: ByteByteGo — 50% Lifetime Plan System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews Other System Design and Coding Interview and Resources you may like * ByteByteGo 50% OFF? Should you Join? * 16 Best Resources for System Design Interview Prep * Is DesignGuru’s System Design Course worth it * Why AlgoMonster is best platform for DSA Prepration in 2025 * ByteByteGo vs NeetCode vs Educative? which one is better? * DesignGurus.io Review 2025 — Is it worth it? * Is ByteByteGo a good place to learn Software Architecture? * Should you join ByteByteGo to learn System Design? * Is System Design Interview RoadMap by DesignGurus worth it? * Is Exponent’s System Design Course worth it? * Is OOP Design Interview — An Insider Guide worth it? * ByteByteGo vs Udemy? Which is better for System Design * Is ByteByteGo a good place for Coding interviews? * 3 Free Books and Courses for System Design Interviews * ByteBytego vs Exponent? which one is better? * Is Exponent Good Place for Coding Interview Prep? * ByteByteGo vs Udemy? Which one is better for System Design? * 6 Best System Design and API Design Interactive Courses * Top 5 System Design YouTube Channels for Engineers * How to prepare for DSA for coding interviews? * 3 Places to Practice System Design Mock interviews * Is Designing Data-intensive application book worth reading? All the best for your System Design and Machine Learning interview preparation , if you have any doubts or questions, feel free to ask in the comments. P. S. — If you just want to do one thing at this moment, join ByteByteGo and start learning software architecture fundamentals and you will thank me later. It’s one of the most comprehensive resource for coding interview now. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews --- Review — Is Machine Learning System Design Interview Worth It? was originally published in Javarevisited on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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I Tried 30+ #Coursera Certifications Here are Top 10 I Recommend
My favorite #Coursera certifications and Courses for 2025 and 2026. Hello guys, Online learning has changed the game for skill development, and Coursera is one of the most trusted platforms leading that revolution. Over the years, I’ve completed more than 30 Coursera certifications across different domains — from programming and cloud computing to data analytics and AI. The best part? Coursera doesn’t just give you knowledge — it gives you industry-recognized credentials from top universities and companies like Google, Meta, IBM, and Stanford. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your career, these certifications can open real doors to better jobs, higher pay, and exciting projects. After trying dozens of them, here are the top 10 Coursera certifications I truly recommend — based on their real-world value, course structure, and career outcomes. And, if you plan to join multiple courses and #certification on Coursera then I highly recommend you to take Coursera Plus. With Coursera Plus you can join any Coursera Certification from their collection of 7000+ courses which are part of Coursera Plus including Google and Meta program without any hassle. Coursera Plus | Unlimited Access to 10,000+ Online Courses How I Choose These Certifications? After completing more than 30 Coursera certifications over the past few years, I’ve developed a bit of a system for figuring out which ones are truly worth it. I don’t just go by the name or the brand — I look for real learning value and impact. 1. Real-World Value: The first thing I ask myself is — will this certification actually help me do something new or better in my career? If the answer is no, I skip it. The best programs teach practical skills you can apply right away — like automating tasks with #Python or analyzing data for insights. 2. Industry Credibility: I always favor certifications built by trusted tech giants like Google, Meta, and IBM. These names not only guarantee quality content but also carry recognition when you put them on LinkedIn or your resume. Recruiters know what they stand for. 3. Project-Based Learning: I’ve learned that watching videos isn’t enough. The programs that made the biggest difference in my learning journey were those with hands-on projects and assessments. If a course lets me build a portfolio or solve real-world problems, it earns extra points. 4. Community and Career Support: Lastly, I consider how much community and career guidance a certification provides. Coursera excels here — many programs include mentorship, peer discussion, and even career tools like resume reviews or mock interviews. In short, I only recommend certifications that have genuinely helped me learn faster, stay relevant, and grow my career — not just collect another badge. 10 Best Coursera Certifications and Specialization for 2026 Without any further ado, here are my favorite Coursera certifications and specialization to learn in-demand skills in 2025 and 2026. Most of these are highly rated and created by companies like Google, IBM and Meta. 1. Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate This certification is a perfect starting point for anyone looking to break into IT support or automation. With Python becoming a critical skill for IT professionals, this certificate will make you job-ready. Over 800,000 students have enrolled to enhance their careers with this in-demand skill. Here is the link to join — Google IT Automation with Python 2. Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate Front-end development is essential for creating interactive web applications. This certificate covers the latest technologies and tools used in the industry. Talking about social proof, more than 390,000 students have chosen this path to become front-end developers. 3. Google IT Support Professional Certificate Designed for beginners, this certificate provides the necessary skills to land an entry-level IT support job. The course includes hands-on labs and interactive assessments, making it ideal for those new to the field. This is also one of the most popular certification online for IT support guys and more than 1.9 million students have used this course to launch their IT careers. 4. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate As businesses increasingly rely on data to make decisions, the need for skilled data analysts is growing. This certificate teaches you how to use data to solve problems, with real-world case studies and interactive content. Join over 1,900,000 learners who have chosen this path to boost their data analytics skills. Google Data Analytics 5. Meta Backend Developer Professional Certificate Backend development is critical for building robust and scalable web applications. This certificate covers databases, APIs, and server-side programming. More than 200,000 learners have enrolled to master backend development. Meta Back-End Developer 6. IBM Data Science Professional Certificate With the explosion of data in every industry, data science skills are more valuable than ever. This certificate provides a solid foundation in data science and analytics, preparing you for a career as a data scientist or analyst. More than 250,000 learners have benefitted from this comprehensive program. IBM Data Science 7. Google Project Management Professional Certificate Project management is a crucial skill in any industry. This certificate covers the essentials of managing projects, leading teams, and making strategic decisions. Over 100,000 students have enrolled in this program to enhance their project management abilities and open doors to new career opportunities. Google Project Management 8. Google UX Design Professional Certificate User experience (UX) design is a growing field with a high demand for skilled professionals. This certificate provides hands-on experience in UX research, wireframing, and usability testing, preparing you for a career in this exciting area. More than 150,000 students have already taken this step towards becoming UX designers. Google Project Management 9. Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate Cybersecurity is a top priority for organizations worldwide, and skilled analysts are in high demand. This certificate covers the fundamental concepts and tools of cybersecurity, preparing you for a career in protecting digital information. Join over 50,000 learners who have chosen to safeguard the digital world. Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst 10. IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate Software development is at the forefront of modern computing. This certificate offers a comprehensive understanding of cloud technologies and full-stack development, making it ideal for those looking to work in the cloud. More than 200,000 students have pursued this course to advance their careers. IBM Full Stack Software Developer Bonus: Google AI Essentials Specialization If you’re new to Artificial Intelligence, this is the perfect place to start. Learn from Google experts how AI can help you boost productivity, automate tasks, and spark new ideas. It’s short, practical, and beginner-friendly. Google AI Essentials My Takeaway After exploring 30+ Coursera certificates, I can confidently say these ten stand out because they’re practical, career-focused, and industry-aligned. Each one teaches you job-ready skills while giving you a credential that actually means something to employers. If you’re serious about growing your career in tech, project management, or data — start with one of these Coursera Professional Certificates today. They’re worth every minute you invest. Here is the link — Join Coursera Plus Annual Program Pro Tip: Coursera often offers financial aid and free trials, so don’t let cost hold you back. Enroll in your preferred certificate, explore the content for a week, and decide if it fits your career goals. Other AI and Machine Learning articles you may like * Is Coursera a Good Place to Learn AI and Generative AI? * 18 Coursera Courses to learn from Google and IBM * 10 Best Udacity Courses for Python developers * 10 Books and Courses to learn Data Science in 2025 * Is Google’s CyberSecurity Certification worth it? * Do Coursera Certificates help in Job and Career? * Is Google’s Advanced Data Analytics Certification worth it? * Is Google’s IT Automation with Python certification worth it? Thanks for reading this article. If you like this article and these Coursera certifications then please share them with your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions or feedback, then please drop a note.P. S. — If you plan to join multiple courses and certification on Coursera then I highly recommend you to take Coursera Plus. With Coursera Plus you can join any Coursera Certification from their collection of 7000+ courses which are part of Coursera Plus including Google and Meta program without any hassle. Coursera Plus | Unlimited Access to 10,000+ Online Courses --- I Tried 30+ Coursera Certifications Here are Top 10 I Recommend was originally published in Javarevisited on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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Stop Writing Database-Dependent Tests — Mock Your Data Access Layer
Stop Writing Database-Dependent Tests — Mock Your Data Access Layer Hello guys, unit #testing is supposed to be fast, isolated, and predictable. Yet, many developers still fall into the trap of writing database-dependent tests — tests that hit a real or embedded database just to validate business logic. While this approach might seem realistic, it slows down feedback loops, increases flakiness, and makes your tests unnecessarily brittle. The truth is simple: if you’re testing your business logic, you don’t need a real database. You need mocked dependencies, not infrastructure. In this post, I’ll walk you through why mocking your data access layer (DAL) leads to cleaner, faster, and more maintainable tests — and how modern tools like CodeRabbit can even help you spot when your tests depend too much on external systems. Why Database-Dependent Tests Are Problematic? Here are the key reasons why you shouldn’t be writing database dependent tests in general: * They’re slow. Each database operation involves setup, teardown, and often migrations. A test suite that could run in seconds can easily balloon into minutes. * They’re fragile. Changes in schema or seed data can break tests unrelated to the code being tested, leading to false negatives and wasted debugging time. * They blur test boundaries. Unit tests should test logic, not persistence. If you’re testing how data is stored or retrieved, that’s an integration test. * They’re hard to maintain. Maintaining a testing database with correct state becomes a constant chore — and developers start skipping tests altogether. The Smarter Alternative — Mock Your Data Access Layer The cleanest way to isolate logic from persistence is to mock your data access layer. If your business logic interacts with repositories, DAOs, or services that fetch data, those should be abstracted behind interfaces and replaced with mocks or fakes in unit tests. For example:public interface UserRepository { User findById(String id); }public class UserService { private final UserRepository repo; public UserService(UserRepository repo) { this.repo = repo; } public boolean isActiveUser(String id) { User user = repo.findById(id); return user != null && user.isActive(); } } And your test could simply mock the repository:@Test void testActiveUser() { UserRepository repo = mock(UserRepository.class); when(repo.findById("123")).thenReturn(new User("123", true)); UserService service = new UserService(repo); assertTrue(service.isActiveUser("123")); } No database. No setup. Instant feedback. Use Tools Like CodeRabbit to Catch Test Anti-Patterns Even experienced developers occasionally write tests that reach into databases unintentionally — for example, through hidden ORM calls or poorly abstracted repository logic. That’s where CodeRabbit comes in. It’s an AI-powered code review tool that automatically reviews your pull requests, flags potential issues, and even identifies test anti-patterns like database coupling, missing mocks, or leaky abstractions. Instead of relying on human reviewers to catch these subtle issues, you can integrate CodeRabbit directly into your GitHub or GitLab workflow and get real-time feedback on every commit. You’ll not only improve your test design but also learn why certain patterns are risky — because CodeRabbit provides contextual reasoning, not just red flags. When You Should Use a Real Database? Of course, not all tests should mock everything. If you’re validating database configuration, migration scripts, or query performance, that’s where integration tests shine. But these tests should be clearly separated and run less frequently than your fast unit test suite. Your goal should be: * 90% of tests: Run with mocks (fast, isolated). * 10% of tests: Touch the database (integration and E2E). This balance ensures high test coverage without slowing down development. Final Thoughts Mocking your data access layer isn’t about avoiding realism — it’s about respecting test boundaries and focusing on logic over infrastructure. Your business logic doesn’t care whether data comes from MySQL, MongoDB, or memory — so neither should your tests. And if you want a practical way to ensure your tests stay clean, your abstractions solid, and your pull requests free of test smells, try CodeRabbit. It’s one of the most developer-friendly AI code review assistants today — built to help you write better, faster, and more maintainable code. Explore CodeRabbit here → All the best with your #coding journey. --- Stop Writing Database-Dependent Tests — Mock Your Data Access Layer was originally published in Javarevisited on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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#Review — Is #Coding Interview Patterns Book by Alex Xu & Shaun GunawardaneWorth It?
#Review — Is #Coding Interview Patterns Book by Alex Xu & Shaun Gunawardane Worth It? Is Coding Interview Patterns: Nail Your Next Coding Interview Book by Alex Xu & Shaun GunawardaneWorth It? Hello guys, if you are wondering whether Coding Interview Patterns: Nail Your Next Interview book by Alex Xu and Shaun Gunawardane is worth it or not then you have come to the right place. Yes — Coding Interview Patterns is a strong book for anyone preparing coding interviews (especially algorithm / data structure rounds). It will teach you essential coding patterns like two pointers, fast and slow pointers, sliding window, prefix sum, Hash table, Set, DFS and BFS which can be used to solve most of the coding problems from interviews. It won’t cover every corner (no single resource ever does), but it does pattern-recognition, explanation clarity, and problem variety very well. Combined with ByteByteGo platform and the 50% discount on lifetime plan, it becomes a powerful part of your interview prep stack. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews Who wrote this book & why it matters? Before reading any book, you must know who is the author as that will give you the reasons to read the book and decided whether its worth it or not. This book is written by Alex xu and Shaun Gunawardane. Alex Xu is well known in the interview-prep / system design space. Bestselling author of System Design Interview: An Insider’s Guide (Volumes 1 and 2), Machine Learning System Design Interview, Generative AI System Design Interview, among others. His style: clean visuals, real-world examples, trade-offs, frameworks, and making large systems intelligible. Shaun Gunawardane is co-author here. He’s a competitive programmer (ex-Google), with deep experience in puzzles, coding pattern identification, and helping others prepare for interviews. Their collaboration means you get both clarity of layout and rigor in problem selection. The collaboration and combination of Alex and Shaun is good enough to read this book, after all it gives you chance to learn from two ex FAANG engineers. Here is the link to get this book — Coding Interview Patterns: Nail Your Next Interview What Coding Interview Patterns are Covered? It’s one of the important book for coding interview preparation because it teaches you coding interview patterns which can be used to solved multiple coding problems. The book offers: * 101 real coding interview problems, with detailed solutions. * 1,00+ diagrams to help illustrate reasoning, flow, pattern recognition, concept underlying each solution. Topics are organized by pattern / problem type: * Two Pointers; * Hash Maps & Sets; * Linked Lists; * Fast & Slow Pointers; * Sliding Windows; * Binary Search; * Stacks; * Heaps; * Intervals; * Prefix Sums; * Trees; * Tries; * Graphs; * Backtracking; * Dynamic #Programming; * Greedy; Bit Manipulation; * Math & Geometry. Essentially most of the common DSA categories. Introductory explanation for each pattern: what the pattern is, when it’s useful, how interviewers expect you to think about it. The explanations aim to help reduce the “grinding thousands of problems without understanding” issue. The good thing is that the book is now also available on ByteByteGo website which means if you have a ByteByteGo subscription then you can read the book for free and if you don’t have one, now is probably the best time to buy because they are offering 50% discount on annual and lifetime plan. It also provide access to 7 of their best selling #books for coding interviews. What I Liked in this book? Here are strengths I believe are especially valuable in 2025: * Pattern Focus Saves Time Instead of randomizing LeetCode problems by difficulty or tags, the book emphasizes patterns. If you understand a few patterns well (e.g. sliding windows, two pointers, binary search), you get much more leverage. Their explanation of two pointer pattern is the best explanation I have read online. It’s also free chapter so I highly recommend you to read it here. * Visuals & Clarity The diagrams make a big difference. Many problems are easier to reason about when structure (trees, graphs, intervals) is visualized. Helps both understanding and recall, especially in interview speed-contexts. * Breadth + Enough Depth Covers many of the patterns commonly asked by large tech companies. While not every pattern is deeply explored, most are sufficient to give you a solid baseline. If you already have some experience, it helps fill in gaps and connects patterns to trade-offs. * Good for Both Beginners & Intermediate Learners If you’re new to algorithm questions, it’s structured in a way that you can gradually build up. If you already solve many problems, it’s helpful for polishing, understanding edge cases, and better explaining your solutions. As I said before, their explanation of two pointer pattern is the best explanation I have read online. It’s also free chapter so I highly recommend you to read it here. What Could Be Better / Limitations? No resource is perfect and this book is also no exception but depending upon what do you want to learn. Here are trade-offs / what to watch out for: * Practice vs Explanation Ratio While there are 101 problems, the book is heavier on explanations and pattern recognition, relatively lighter on interactive or challenge exercises. For mastery, you’ll still need to pair book reading with hands-on coding (LeetCode / Algomonster etc.). * Lighter Coverage on Some Advanced Topics Patterns are well covered, but many key data structures and algorithms concepts are out of scope. If you’re interviewing for extremely senior roles, you may need extra resources. * Not a Substitute for System Design Work This is largely about coding / algorithm patterns. It doesn’t deeply cover architectural or system design interviews. So if your target role includes system design, you’ll want to combine this with other books or platforms. Though, ByteByteGo website address most of this issues as it provides interactive coding platform for practice with testcases and also covers System Design. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews Community / Feedback & Early Reception The book has received overall good feedback from readers, here are some references I found online: * On Goodreads, many users report that the book helped them “refresh and structure” their pattern recall. A frequent comment: it makes “grinding LeetCode” more effective when you have pattern foundations. * On Reddit, people acknowledged that although there are many pattern resources already, this book stands out for being well-organized, visually explained, and with problems that cover many standard patterns. Some debate whether it’s a “must buy” if you already have resources, but many believe for interview focus it’s very solid. If you ask me, its a great resource, especially if you like to read book, otherwise ByteByteGo website is the master resources for coding interviews which also contains the content of this book and you can also practice all those 101 problems, also known as ByteByteGo 101 online with built-in test-cases evaluating your solution. How It Compares to ByteByteGo Platform? ByteByteGo doesn’t just have this book; their catalog includes: * System Design Interview: An Insider’s Guide (Volumes 1 & 2) — long-standing favorites for system design prep. * Machine Learning System Design Interview — for those targeting ML/AI roles. * Generative AI System Design Interview — newer, focused on GenAI challenges. * Coding Interview Patterns (this book) adds pattern coding focus in algorithm rounds. The ByteByteGo platform bundles many of these resources; as Alex Xu has noted, their goal is to help engineers tackle all parts of tech interviews: coding, system design, (ML & GenAI if relevant), and patterns. If you are preparing for coding interviews in 2025 then I highly recommend you to join ByteByteGo as its offer a complete package for coding interview preparation and they are also offering a rare 50% discount now. I just bought their lifetime plan as it provides best value and recommend the same to other engineers as you will be keep using it every time you look for change. Is Coding Interview Patterns Worth It in 2025? Putting it all together, if I were preparing for interviews in 2025 — particularly for FAANG or other large tech companies — I would assess its value differently depending on the audience. For new graduates or junior developers preparing for their first coding interviews, the benefit is very high, as it provides structure for practice and helps them avoid common pitfalls, making it a great resource. For mid-level engineers who need polish or who frequently go through interview rounds, the usefulness is high since it speeds up recognition of commonly used patterns and improves clarity, making it very useful. For senior engineers or those targeting specialized algorithmic or system roles, the benefit is more moderate; while it offers a solid foundation, it must be supplemented with deeper topics such as advanced system design and optimizations that go beyond standard patterns. So yes, for many candidates Coding Interview Patterns is more than “just another book”; it’s a time-saver and clarity-giver. If you’re interested, you can grab Coding Interview Patterns via Amazon: Coding Interview Patterns: Nail Your Next Coding Interview by Alex Xu & Shaun Gunawardane. Also, ByteByteGo often runs a 50% off lifetime plan offer for their platform. If you expect to use multiple of their books, video content, system design + pattern practice, investing in lifetime access makes sense. It gives you access to all books, updates, and resource additions in one place. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews Verdict & Recommendations If you’re building your interview prep strategy, here’s how I’d combine resources: * Use Coding Interview Patterns for solid pattern recognition, explaining algorithms clearly, and faster recall under pressure. * Pair it with hands-on platform practice (LeetCode, Algomonster if you can), especially implementing, timing, optimizing. * For system design and more senior architectural rounds, combine with ByteByteGo’s System Design Interview books (Vol 1 & 2), and the Generative AI System Design Interview if relevant. * If budget allows, get the lifetime ByteByteGo plan at 50% off — this gives ongoing value, new content, and all books + platform features. In short: yes, Coding Interview Patterns is worth it, especially when used as part of a broader prep stack. On its own it’s excellent for coding rounds; combined with design and real-practice resources it becomes very strong. Final Thoughts: The Complete ByteByteGo Platform as Interview Prep Powerpack ByteByteGo isn’t just a collection of books anymore — it’s shaping up into a full interview prep platform: * Coding pattern books plus system design books * Visual diagrams, clear frameworks, tradeoff discussions * Platform / membership that bundles access to multiple books + video content * Regular updates & newer books (e.g. GenAI design) For anyone serious about the next tech interview (coding + design + maybe ML/AI), ByteByteGo + Coding Interview Patterns + subscribing (or securing the lifetime plan while the 50% deal is on) is a recommendation I make with confidence. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews Other System Design and Coding Interview and Resources you may like * ByteByteGo 50% OFF? Should you Join? * Is ByteByteGo a good place to learn Software Architecture? * Should you join ByteByteGo to learn System Design? * Is System Design Interview RoadMap by DesignGurus worth it? * Is Exponent’s System Design Course worth it? * Is OOP Design Interview — An Insider Guide worth it? * ByteByteGo vs Udemy? Which is better for System Design inteviews? * 16 Best Resources for System Design Interview Prep * Is DesignGuru’s System Design Course worth it * Why AlgoMonster is best platform for DSA Prepration in 2025 * ByteByteGo vs NeetCode vs Educative? which one is better? * DesignGurus.io Review 2025 — Is it worth it? * Is ByteByteGo a good place for Coding interviews? * 3 Free Books and Courses for System Design Interviews * ByteBytego vs Exponent? which one is better? * Is Exponent Good Place for Coding Interview Prep? * ByteByteGo vs Udemy? Which one is better for System Design? * 6 Best System Design and API Design Interactive Courses * Top 5 System Design YouTube Channels for Engineers * How to prepare for DSA for coding interviews? * 3 Places to Practice System Design Mock interviews * Is Designing Data-intensive application book worth reading? All the best for your System Design interview preparation , if you have any doubts or questions, feel free to ask in the comments. P. S. — If you just want to do one thing at this moment, join ByteByteGo and start learning software architecture fundamentals and you will thank me later. It’s one of the most comprehensive resource for coding interview now. System Design · Coding · Behavioral · Machine Learning Interviews --- Review — Is Coding Interview Patterns Book by Alex Xu & Shaun GunawardaneWorth It? was originally published in Javarevisited on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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