Multi-Shard Data Management Architecture

System DesignOpenAILast reported March 2026Low Frequency

Problem Overview

OpenAI system design question, reconstructed from 2 candidate reports (March 2026). Candidates reported 4 follow-ups.

4 candidate-reported follow-ups — the probes candidates report being asked, with the trigger for each
The full problem statement — full requirements, constraints, and edge cases
Approach and trade-offs — what passing candidates did, and the mistakes that sink people

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Full problem statements, candidate-reported follow-ups, and walkthroughs — for every OpenAI question.

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Verified Source

Every question is reconstructed from multiple independent candidate reports. Follow-ups candidates reported, not invented ones.

Codex Fact-Checked

Technical claims, formulas, and scale numbers are reviewed against primary sources.

Interviewer Follow-ups

The follow-ups candidates reported, with the trigger that prompts each one — plus the mistakes that sink people.