Is DesignGurus.io’s Grokking System Design and Coding Interview courses worth it? Review

is Design Guru a good place to learn System Design and Coding interview preparation?

javinpaul
Javarevisited
8 min readJul 29, 2023

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image_credit — DesignGuru

Hello guys, as a tech enthusiast I am always passionate about learning System design and excelling in tech interviews and while searching for resources I came across Grokking the System Design Course a couple of years ago.

I was immediately intrigued by looking at their diagrams like the one shown above and their promise to prepare me comprehensively for system design and coding interviews, so I decided to give it a shot.

At that time, this course was available on Educative.io and it was one of their best selling courses. I vividly remember, it almost drive half of their revenue at one point of time, but now this course is exclusively available on DesignGurus.io, the ultimate tech interview training ground.

Upon exploring their website, I was impressed with the comprehensive course offerings they had in store. From beginners to seasoned professionals, they catered to all skill levels, making System design and coding interview courses accessible to anyone who aspired to level up their system design skills and excel in their next interview.

If you are on similar cross-road whether you are looking for best resources to learn System and for Coding interview but not sure whether DesignGuru is worth your time and money then hang on with me as I am going to share my thoughts about it.

In the past, I have shared best System Design courses, Books, Platforms, topics, cheat sheets, and even popular System Design Interview questions and in this article, I am going to review DesignGuru and find out whether their System Design Interview and Coding Interview courses are worth their salt or not.

Let’s start with the founder first, Designguru is founded by none other than Arslan Ahmad, Formally a software engineer @ Facebook, Microsoft, Hulu, Formulatrix and now an Entrepreneur, Software Engineer, and Writer. He also shares a lot of useful content on Medium, you can consider following him if you want to improve your System design knowledge.

Now that we know there is a knowledgeable person behind DesignGuru who has also gone through the FAANG interview test and had a rare opportunity to be in both side of table, I am sure, you will included to learn more about their course offerings and how they can help you level up your System design and Coding interview skills.

So, let’s just right into it.

Is DesignGuru’s System Design Interview and Coding Interview Course worth it?

If you ask me a simple answer, I will definitely say that Grokking the System Design course on DesignGuru are totally worth it, simply because they way they explain concept with illustrated diagrams and the cost you pay compare to getting the same knowledge elsewhere.

One more thing that stood out to me was their emphasis on real-world system design case studies. This practical approach was exactly what I needed to enhance my problem-solving abilities.

Instead of just learning theoretical concepts, I was able to see how these ideas were applied in actual industry scenarios. It helped me develop a deeper understanding of how large-scale systems are designed and implemented, which I knew would be invaluable in my interviews.

The coding interview Pattern course provided by DesignGurus.io was another game-changer for me. I never knew that you can solve many of popular leetcode coding problems by just knowing few patterns. They had also meticulously curated courses with essential patterns like fast and slow pointers, sliding windows etc to accelerate my preparation for coding interviews.

What I loved the most was their pattern-based learning approach. Instead of memorizing specific solutions, they taught coding patterns that could be applied to a wide range of problems. This approach not only boosted my confidence but also made me a more adaptable problem solver during interviews.

Engaging in their interactive coding exercises was also an absolute joy. It allowed me to practice my coding skills hands-on, and I could instantly see how my solutions compared to the correct answers. The real-time code execution feature in the seamless, interactive environment they provided was immensely helpful. It not only improved my coding efficiency but also taught me to be mindful of edge cases and optimize my solutions.

One aspect that I found particularly useful was their system design template. They offered a structured and comprehensive template that I could use to approach any system design interview. It covered all the essential components, ensuring I wouldn’t miss any critical points while designing large-scale systems. Having this template at my disposal gave me the confidence to tackle even the most challenging system design questions with ease.

Having completed the “Grokking the System Design Interview” course, I can confidently say that it was an excellent use of my time and money. I truly feel like I’ve grown as a developer, and I now possess the knowledge and secrets to build robust, giant internet systems.

In short, DesignGurus.io has exceeded my expectations as the ultimate tech interview training ground. Their comprehensive course offerings, practical real-world case studies, pattern-based learning approach, interactive coding exercises, and active community have transformed the way I approach tech interviews.

The roadmap and system design template have been invaluable resources that have given me the edge I needed to succeed. I can say without a doubt that investing in their Grokking System Design and Coding Interview courses was one of the best decisions you can made on you journey to getting your dream tech job.

They even offer a bundle of all courses where you can buy all of their courses for big discount. If you want to excel on coding interview and prepare well, I highly recommend to get this bundle, its really useful.

Is DesignGuru good place to learn System Design?

Now that we know that their courses are top quality and they certainly help in preparing for System Design interview, it's time to explore more about platform itself and find out whether DesignGuru itself is worth it or not?

Here are my few reasons and things I liked about DesignGuru:

1. Comprehensive Coding Interview Course Offerings

DesignGurus.io offers a diverse range of courses that cater to everyone, from beginners to seasoned professionals. This means that whether you’re just starting out or have prior experience, you can find relevant material to level up your system design skills and ace your next interview. The availability of multiple courses ensures that you can choose what suits your needs best.

2. Real-World System Design Case Studies

One of the crucial aspect of excelling in system design interviews is the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. With DesignGurus.io’s emphasis on real-world case studies, you can gain practical insights into how systems are designed and implemented in the industry. This practical exposure is invaluable when facing interviews that demand problem-solving in real-world situations.

3. Accelerated Pattern-Based Learning

When it comes to coding interviews, DesignGurus.io aims to break away from conventional methods and adopts a pattern-based learning approach. This approach focuses on teaching coding patterns rather than specific solutions. By understanding patterns, you can apply them to a wide range of coding problems, enhancing your problem-solving skills and adaptability in interviews.

4. Interactive Coding Exercises

Learning by doing is one of the most effective ways to grasp concepts. The interactive coding exercises offered by DesignGurus.io allow you to practice your coding skills in a hands-on manner. This engagement can bolster your confidence and competence when it comes to tackling coding problems during interviews.

5. Coding Right in Your Browser

The seamless, interactive coding environment provided by DesignGurus.io enables you to work on coding problems directly in your browser. This feature allows for real-time code execution and instant comparison of your solutions with correct answers. Such instant feedback is invaluable in improving your coding efficiency and accuracy.

Reviewing testimonials further support the effectiveness of DesignGurus.io’s courses. Many users have reported significant improvements in their interview preparation and subsequent job offers. Positive reviews praising their Grokking the System Design Interview and Grokking the Coding Interview courses underscore the value these resources bring to the table.

My Favorite DesignGuru Courses

DeisgnGuru.io has a lot of nice courses for coding interview preparation and learning about System Design, Object oriented design, Dynamic Programming etc, here are a couple of my favorite courses which you can also checkout:

  1. Grokking the System Design Interview
  2. Grokking Dynamic Programming Patterns for Coding Interviews
  3. Grokking the Advanced System Design Interview
  4. Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions
  5. Grokking the Object Oriented Design Interview

They even offer a bundle of all courses where you can buy all of their courses for big discount. If you want to excel on coding interview and prepare well, I highly recommend to get this bundle, its really useful.

Conclusion

After a thorough evaluation of DesignGurus.io’s Grokking System Design and Coding Interview courses, it can be confidently stated that these offerings are well worth considering for aspiring tech professionals and individuals preparing for technical interviews. The courses stand out for their comprehensive content, structured approach, and emphasis on practical application.

DesignGurus.io’s Grokking System Design course will teach you all essential knowledge and strategies to tackle complex system design challenges. Its emphasis on real-world scenarios and hands-on exercises ensures that students gain a deep understanding of system design principles and best practices.

Similarly, the Grokking Coding Interview course helps in preparing candidates for coding interviews. With a focus on mastering coding techniques, data structures, and algorithms, learners gain the necessary skills to tackle coding challenges with confidence.

What sets these courses apart is their learner-friendly approach. The instructors employ clear explanations, diagrams, and interactive learning tools that facilitate understanding and retention. Furthermore, the platform provides excellent support through forums and expert assistance, which enhances the learning experience.

While the courses do come with a price tag, the investment is justified considering the invaluable skills and knowledge gained. Many users have reported significant improvements in their technical interview performance and subsequent career opportunities after completing these courses.

In short, DesignGurus.io’s Grokking System Design and Coding Interview courses offer high-quality content, effective teaching methodologies, and excellent support, making them highly recommended resources for individuals aiming to excel in system design and coding interviews.

So, whether you’re a seasoned professional seeking to brush up on your skills or a newcomer to the tech industry, these courses are undoubtedly worth the investment in your career growth.

If you want to do just one thing at this moment, I suggest you to join the Grokking the System Design Interview course on Design Guru, you will not regret this decision for sure.

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javinpaul
Javarevisited

I am Java programmer, blogger, working on Java, J2EE, UNIX, FIX Protocol. I share Java tips on http://javarevisited.blogspot.com and http://java67.com