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API Gateway vs Load Balancer vs Reverse Proxy: What's the Difference?
TLDR: These three terms are often used interchangeably because they overlap. A Reverse Proxy hides the server. A Load Balancer distributes traffic. An API Gateway manages APIs (Auth, Rate Limiting). Think of them as a hierarchy: An API Gateway is a L...
LLM Hyperparameters Guide: Temperature, Top-P, and Top-K Explained
TLDR: Hyperparameters are the knobs you turn before generating text. Temperature controls randomness (Creativity vs. Focus). Top-P controls the vocabulary pool (Diversity). Frequency Penalty stops the model from repeating itself. Knowing how to tune ...
Mastering Prompt Templates: System, User, and Assistant Roles with LangChain
TLDR: A prompt isn't just a single string of text. Modern LLMs (like GPT-4) expect a structured list of messages. The System sets the behavior, the User provides the input, and the Assistant stores the history. Using tools like LangChain helps manage...
Webhooks Explained: Don't Call Us, We'll Call You
TLDR: Polling is like asking "Are we there yet?" every 5 seconds. Webhooks are like the driver tapping you on the shoulder when you arrive. They allow systems to communicate in real-time by sending HTTP POST requests when an event occurs, saving reso...
Tokenization Explained: How LLMs Understand Text
TLDR: Computers don't read words; they read numbers. Tokenization is the process of breaking text down into smaller pieces (tokens) and converting them into numerical IDs that a Large Language Model can process. It's the foundational first step for a...
RAG Explained: How to Give Your LLM a Brain Upgrade
TLDR: RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) stops LLMs from making stuff up. It works by first searching a private database for facts (Retrieval) and then pasting those facts into the prompt for the LLM to use (Augmented Generation). It's like giving ...
Variational Autoencoders (VAE): The Art of Compression and Creation
TLDR: A standard Autoencoder learns to copy data (Input -> Compress -> Output). A Variational Autoencoder learns the concept of the data. By adding randomness to the compression step, VAEs can generate new, never-before-seen variations of the input, ...
LLM Terms You Should Know: A Helpful Glossary
TLDR: The world of Generative AI is full of jargon. This post is your dictionary. Whether you are a developer, a researcher, or just curious, use this guide to decode the language of Large Language Models. A Agent An AI system that uses an LLM as i...
Low-Level Design Guide for Ride Booking Application
TLDR: Designing Uber isn't just about maps; it's about managing state. A ride goes from REQUESTED to ACCEPTED to COMPLETED. We use the Strategy Pattern for pricing (Surge vs. Standard) and the Observer Pattern to notify drivers. This guide walks thro...
Exploring the Strategy Design Pattern: Simplifying Software Design
TLDR: If your code is full of if (type == A) doThis() else if (type == B) doThat(), you need the Strategy Pattern. It allows you to define a family of algorithms, encapsulate each one, and make them interchangeable at runtime. What is the Strategy ...
Java Memory Model Demystified: Key Concepts and Usage
TLDR: Java memory is split into two main areas: the Stack (for method execution) and the Heap (for objects). The Heap is further divided into Young Generation (Eden, Survivor) and Old Generation to optimize Garbage Collection. Understanding this stru...
Types of Locks Explained: Tips for Maintaining Consistent Systems and Avoiding Write Conflicts
TLDR: When multiple users access the same data, you risk overwriting each other's work. Pessimistic Locking locks the door so only one person can enter. Optimistic Locking lets everyone in but checks for conflicts before saving. Choosing the wrong on...
The Ultimate Data Structures Cheat Sheet
What are Data Structures? (The "No-Jargon" Explanation) Imagine you are a carpenter. You have a toolbox. You wouldn't use a hammer to screw in a lightbulb, and you wouldn't use a saw to drive a nail. Data Structures are simply the tools in your codin...
Tree Data Structure Explained: Concepts, Implementation, and Interview Guide
TLDR: Unlike linear data structures (Arrays, Linked Lists) which are like a straight line, Trees are hierarchical. They model relationships like "Parent-Child" or "Folder-File." This guide covers the terminology, real-world uses, and how to implement...
Mastering Binary Tree Traversal: A Beginner's Guide
TLDR: Trees are non-linear, meaning there isn't just one way to read them. "Traversal" is simply the specific order in which you visit every node. This guide breaks down the four essential strategies—Preorder, Inorder, Postorder, and Level Order—usin...
System Design Databases: SQL vs NoSQL and Scaling
TLDR: Choosing the wrong database is the most expensive mistake you can make. If you need strict consistency (Banking), use SQL. If you need massive scale (Instagram Likes), use NoSQL. This guide breaks down the decision framework, the CAP theorem, a...
System Design Protocols: REST, RPC, and TCP/UDP
1. API Paradigms: REST vs. RPC When Server A talks to Server B, how do they structure the conversation? REST (Representational State Transfer) The language of the web. Concept: Resources (Nouns) are manipulated via HTTP Verbs. Format: Usually JSON. ...
System Design Networking: DNS, CDNs, and Load Balancers
1. DNS (Domain Name System) DNS is the phonebook of the internet. Computers don't know what google.com is; they only know IP addresses like 172.217.0.0. How It Works (The Lookup) Browser Cache: "Have I visited google.com recently?" OS Cache: "Does ...
System Design Core Concepts: Scalability, CAP, and Consistency
1. Scalability: The Art of Growing Scalability is the ability of a system to handle increased load without crashing. There are two main ways to scale. Vertical Scaling (Scale Up) This means adding more power (CPU, RAM, Storage) to your existing serve...
The Ultimate Guide to Acing the System Design Interview
TLDR: System Design interviews aren't about finding the "right" answer; they are about demonstrating your ability to navigate trade-offs. This guide is a comprehensive glossary and framework covering the essential theory—from Load Balancing and Cachi...