HLDsystem_design~12 mins

Why API design affects system usability in HLD - Architecture Impact

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System Overview - Why API design affects system usability

This system explains how the design of an API impacts the ease and efficiency with which developers and users interact with a software system. Key requirements include clear communication, consistent behavior, and fast response times to ensure a positive user experience.

Architecture Diagram

User
  |
  v
Load Balancer
  |
  v
API Gateway
  |
  v
API Service
  |
  +----------------+
  |                |
Cache <---------- Database
  |
  v
Response

Components

User

client

Initiates requests to the system using the API

Load Balancer

load_balancer

Distributes incoming requests evenly to API Gateway instances

API Gateway

api_gateway

Handles routing, authentication, and request validation

API Service

service

Processes API requests, applies business logic, and interacts with data stores

Cache

cache

Stores frequently accessed data to reduce latency and load on the database

Database

database

Stores persistent data for the system

Response

response

Delivers processed data back to the user

Request Flow - 11 Hops

User → Load Balancer

Load Balancer → API Gateway

API Gateway → API Service

API Service → Cache

Cache → API Service

API Service → Database

Database → API Service

API Service → Cache

API Service → API Gateway

API Gateway → Load Balancer

Load Balancer → User

Failure Scenario

Component Fails:API Gateway

Impact:Requests cannot be routed or validated, causing all API calls to fail and users to experience errors.

Mitigation:Deploy multiple API Gateway instances with health checks and automatic failover to ensure availability.

Architecture Quiz - 3 Questions

Test your understanding

Which component is responsible for checking if requested data is already stored to reduce database load?

AAPI Gateway

BCache

CLoad Balancer

DDatabase

Design Principle

This architecture highlights how good API design, including clear routing, validation, and caching, directly improves system usability by ensuring fast, reliable, and consistent responses to users.