What are the three components of system design?

The three primary components of system design are:

1. Frontend (Client-Side)

The frontend is the part of the system that users interact with directly, usually through web or mobile interfaces. It involves:

  • User interface (UI) design
  • User experience (UX) optimization
  • Handling user input and interacting with the backend via APIs

2. Backend (Server-Side)

The backend consists of the server-side components that process requests, handle business logic, and interact with the database. Key elements include:

  • Application servers: Execute the core business logic.
  • APIs: Facilitate communication between the frontend and backend.
  • Databases: Store and retrieve data efficiently.

3. Data Storage

Data storage encompasses the databases and file storage systems that store the application's data. This includes:

  • Relational Databases (SQL): For structured data.
  • NoSQL Databases: For unstructured or flexible data types.
  • Caching systems: Tools like Redis or Memcached for improving data retrieval speed.

These three components work together to deliver a complete system that handles both user interactions and data processing.

For more comprehensive learning, explore resources like:

TAGS
System Design Interview
CONTRIBUTOR
Arslan Ahmad
Arslan Ahmad
ex-FAANG engineering manager and author or Grokking series.

GET YOUR FREE

Coding Questions Catalog

Design Gurus Newsletter - Latest from our Blog
Boost your coding skills with our essential coding questions catalog.
Take a step towards a better tech career now!
Explore Answers
What to Expect in the Deel System Design Interview
How Deel tests system design: a design discussion inside the technical interview, payments and payroll question types, and one worked example.
Which skill is best for earning money?
What is the best technical skill?
What is the salary of GitLab backend engineer?
What is an industry interview?
What is the job structure of Netflix?
Related Courses
New
Grokking the AI System Design Interview course cover
Grokking the AI System Design Interview
Learn to design AI systems the way interviewers expect: classic ML products, LLM and RAG architectures, and agentic systems, all through the lens of the system design interview.
4.6
(3,192 learners)
Discounted price for Your Region

$98

Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions course cover
Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions
The 24 essential patterns behind every coding interview question. Available in Java, Python, JavaScript, C++, C#, and Go. The most comprehensive coding interview course with 543 lessons. A smarter alternative to grinding LeetCode.
4.6
Discounted price for Your Region

$197

Grokking Modern AI Fundamentals course cover
Grokking Modern AI Fundamentals
Master the fundamentals of AI today to lead the tech revolution of tomorrow.
4.1
Discounted price for Your Region

$72

Design Gurus logo
One-Stop Portal For Tech Interviews.
About Us
Our Team
Careers
Partners
Contact Us
Become Affiliate
Copyright © 2026 Design Gurus, LLC. All rights reserved.