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Fundamentals of Distributed Systems

Making a reliable centralized application is hard enough, but distributed systems require some extra consideration. This course will teach you the important concepts and basic patterns of reliable distributed systems.

Distributed systems are hard to build, complicated to run, and difficult to understand. If you need one, then it’s because a centralized application just won't do. In this course, Fundamentals of Distributed Systems, you’ll learn to build and operate complex systems made of loosely connected services. First, you’ll explore the properties of a reliable service. Next, you’ll discover how to connect services together using messages and APIs. Finally, you’ll learn how to apply patterns to tackle hard collaborative problems. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge of distributed systems needed to design and operate software at a global scale.

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Distributed Systems Reliability

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Designing Reliable Applications

Connecting Services

Identifying Service Boundaries

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops a comprehensive foundation for building and operating reliable distributed applications

Teaches the essential concepts and patterns needed to design and implement reliable distributed systems

Provides a practical approach to building and operating complex systems made of loosely connected services

Taught by Michael Perry, an expert in the field of distributed systems

Suitable for learners with some programming experience and a basic understanding of computer science concepts

May require additional resources or experience for learners with no prior exposure to distributed systems

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Reviews summary

Mastering core distributed systems concepts

According to students, this course provides a strong conceptual foundation in distributed systems, essential for professionals in software engineering and architecture. Learners frequently highlight the instructor's ability to explain complex concepts with remarkable clarity, using relatable real-world examples. While many found the course well-structured and easy to follow, some experienced learners noted it tends to be largely theoretical, suggesting a warning for those seeking deep dives into specific technologies or extensive coding examples. Overall, it's considered an invaluable toolkit for understanding fundamental principles and designing scalable systems.

Ideal starting point; might be slow for advanced learners.

"Good course for beginners. It clarifies many core principles of distributed systems and breaks down complex ideas into manageable pieces."

"For more advanced learners, it might feel a bit slow or too introductory."

"As someone with some prior experience, I was hoping for a bit more depth and perhaps some practical implementation strategies..."

Instructor's passion and expertise enhance learning.

"The instructor's passion for the subject shines through. A must-take for any backend developer."

"The instructor is a true expert! His ability to break down highly complex topics... is truly impressive."

"This course exceeded my expectations! The way distributed patterns were explained using analogies was brilliant."

Builds solid understanding of core principles and architectural thinking.

"It provides a strong conceptual foundation without getting lost in too much theoretical detail, striking a perfect balance."

"I felt the course gave a great overview of the challenges and solutions in this domain. I found it very helpful for architectural thinking."

"This course provides an invaluable conceptual toolkit for any software architect or senior developer working with distributed systems."

"It clarifies many core principles of distributed systems and breaks down complex ideas into manageable pieces."

Expertly demystifies complex distributed systems topics.

"The instructor explains complex concepts with remarkable clarity, using real-world examples that make the material incredibly relatable."

"It demystified many aspects of distributed computing for me. The 'Keeping Things Running' module was particularly insightful, covering topics like consistency and fault tolerance in a way that clicked."

"His ability to break down highly complex topics like consistency models and consensus algorithms into understandable modules is truly impressive."

"I appreciate the clear explanations and real-world analogies used by the instructor."

Focuses on theory and high-level design; limited code.

"Some parts could benefit from more detailed coding examples, but overall, a valuable resource."

"As someone with some prior experience, I was hoping for a bit more depth and perhaps some practical implementation strategies beyond just conceptual understanding."

"While it covers the basics, I found the lack of practical assignments and real-code examples frustrating. It felt very theoretical at times."

"It leans heavily on theoretical understanding, which is fine, but be prepared for less direct coding and more high-level design principles."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Distributed Systems with these activities:

Review The Little Book of Semaphores

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It offers a great entry point into concurrent programming, which is a foundational skill in distributed systems development.

View How to Think Like a Computer Scientist on Amazon

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Read through the book once.
Take notes and highlight key concepts.
Try to apply some of the code examples in your own programming projects.

Follow a tutorial on distributed systems

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Tutorials provide a structured way to learn about new concepts and technologies.

Browse courses on Skill Development

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Find a tutorial on distributed systems that is relevant to your interests.
Follow the tutorial and complete all of the exercises.
Test your understanding by completing the quizzes and assignments.

Solve distributed systems design problems

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It will help you develop a deep understanding of the concepts and principles of distributed system design.

Browse courses on System Design

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Find a problem to solve.
Design a solution using the principles of distributed systems.
Implement the solution in code.
Test the solution and make sure it meets the requirements.

Four other activities

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Create a collection of resources on distributed systems

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Compiling a list of resources will help you organize your knowledge and make it easier to find information later.

Browse courses on Knowledge Management

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Create a document or spreadsheet to store your resources.
Add links to articles, tutorials, videos, and other resources that you find useful.
Organize your resources into categories or tags.
Share your collection with other students or professionals in the field.

Write a blog post or article about distributed systems

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Writing about distributed systems will help you solidify your understanding of the concepts and principles.

Browse courses on Writing

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Choose a topic that you are interested in.
Research the topic and gather information.
Write a blog post or article that shares your insights and knowledge.
Publish your blog post or article on your own website or blog.
Promote your blog post or article on social media.

Build a simple distributed system

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Projects put the ideas in the course to practice and learn by doing.

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Choose a simple distributed system to build.
Design the system.
Implement the system using a programming language or framework.
Test the system and make sure it meets the requirements.
Document the design and implementation of the system.

Contribute to an open source distributed systems project

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Open source projects offer real-world experience and exposure to best practices in distributed systems development.

Browse courses on Community Involvement

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Find an open source distributed systems project to contribute to.
Read the project documentation and understand the codebase.
Identify an area where you can make a contribution.
Make your contribution and submit a pull request.
Review the feedback from the project maintainers.
Make any necessary revisions and resubmit your pull request.

Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of Distributed Systems will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Site Reliability Engineer

Site Reliability Engineers (SREs) ensure the scalability, reliability, and performance of systems and applications. They work behind the scenes to ensure software is up and running 24/7, and the site remains operational.

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DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers work at the intersection of software development and IT operations. They combine automation and collaboration to ensure that software is not just built, but that it is built to run in the real world.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers are in charge of developing the software that we use every day. They design, build, and maintain applications, systems, and tools that are responsible for countless business processes.

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Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design and implement cloud computing solutions for businesses. They work with clients to understand their needs, then design and build the best possible cloud solution. They may also manage the cloud solution once it is up and running.

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Data Architect

Data Architects design, build, and maintain the systems that store and manage data.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators (DBAs) are responsible for managing an organization's databases. They ensure that the data in the databases is secure, reliable, and accessible.

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Network Administrator

Network Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining an organization's computer networks.

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Security Analyst

Security Analysts are responsible for protecting an organization's computer systems and networks from security threats.

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IT Manager

IT Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing an organization's IT infrastructure.

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Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts are responsible for analyzing an organization's business processes and designing and implementing IT solutions to improve them.

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Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write the code that makes computers work. They convert designs created by Software Engineers into functioning software applications.

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Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications.

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Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are responsible for protecting an organization's computer systems and networks from security threats.

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Computer Support Specialist

Computer Support Specialists provide technical support to computer users. They may work in a help desk, on the phone, or on-site.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for technical products, such as software and hardware.

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Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Distributed Systems.