1. High-Level Design (HLD)
Overview: HLD is the macro-level design phase that provides a broad view of the system. It outlines the architecture and major components of the system and their interactions.
Focus:
- System architecture (e.g., client-server, microservices)
- Technology stack (e.g., programming languages, databases, frameworks)
- Major modules and how they interact
- Communication protocols between components
Audience:
HLD is primarily for architects, project managers, and clients who need to understand the overall structure of the system.
Purpose:
HLD ensures the system is aligned with business requirements, helping in resource planning and timeline estimation.
2. Low-Level Design (LLD)
Overview: LLD is the micro-level design phase that details the inner workings of individual components. It describes how each module will be implemented.
Focus:
- Detailed logic for each module
- Data structures and database schemas
- API definitions and workflows
- Pseudocode or code snippets
- Error handling and validation logic
Audience:
LLD is mainly for developers who will use this detailed information to write code.
Purpose:
LLD ensures that every component is designed optimally and integrates seamlessly with the system.
Key Differences between HLD and LLD
Aspect | High-Level Design (HLD) | Low-Level Design (LLD) |
---|---|---|
Purpose | Overall system structure and architecture | Detailed design of individual components |
Abstraction | High (bird’s eye view) | Low (detailed implementation) |
Audience | Architects, Project Managers, Clients | Developers |
Components | Modules, system architecture, integration | Detailed logic, data structures, APIs |
Outcome | Architecture diagrams, technology stack | Code, database schema, pseudocode, detailed designs |
Focus | What components exist and how they interact | How each component is built and functions |
Example:
HLD: In a social media app, HLD would describe the architecture (e.g., microservices), key modules like user management, post creation, and how they communicate.
LLD: LLD would define the data structures, algorithms for sorting posts, database schema for users and posts, and specific API calls for each module.
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