What is System Design (And Why Isn't It Just for Seniors?)

You've probably heard the term "system design" and pictured a complex whiteboard full of boxes and arrows. It can seem intimidating, but at its core, system design is just the process of planning how a software application will be built.

Think of it like an architect's blueprint for a skyscraper. You wouldn't just start laying bricks, would you? You'd first ask: "How many people will use it? What happens in an earthquake (high traffic)? How do the elevators (data) move?"

This kind of thinking—focusing on reliability, scalability, and efficiency—is valuable from day one of your career. Understanding the 'big picture' is what separates a good coder from a great engineer.