Multi-Shard Data Management Architecture

System DesignOpenAILast reported March 2026Low Frequency
Reported
2× across candidate reports
First seen
March 2026
Last reported
March 2026
Reported outcome
unknown

Problem Overview

Design and implement a multi-shard data management system with shard balancing logic. The coding component involves implementing shard balancing using provided add_shard and remove_shard API functions (shards stored in a list), ensuring balanced redistribution when shards are added or removed. The system design component involves designing infrastructure to handle 100k…

  • 4 candidate-reported follow-ups — the exact probes interviewers asked, with the trigger for each
  • The rest of the 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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Verified Source
Every question is reconstructed from multiple independent candidate reports. Verbatim follow-ups, not invented ones.
Codex Fact-Checked
Technical claims, formulas, and scale numbers are reviewed against primary sources.
Interviewer Follow-ups
The exact follow-ups reported by candidates, with the trigger that prompts each one — plus the mistakes that sink people.
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