Top 7 Books and Courses to Learn Distributed Software Design in 2024
My favorite books and online courses for Distributed Software design and development in 2024, includes both free and paid resources.
Hello guys, in the fast-evolving landscape of technology, distributed software design has become a critical aspect of building scalable and resilient systems. As businesses increasingly rely on distributed architectures, professionals with expertise in this field are in high demand.
Whether you are a seasoned developer or a newcomer to the world of distributed systems, learning Distributed Software Design is key to staying ahead in this dynamic field.
And, if you want to learn Distributed Software Design and Microservices then you have come to the right place. Earlier, I have shared best Microservices courses and best Software architecture courses and today I am going to present the top five courses to learn distributed software design in 2024.
I have carefully chosen these advanced courses from platforms like Udemy, Coursera, , DesignGuru, and Educative which provide in-depth understanding of various Software patterns and techniques you need to create Distributed softwares.
While selecting a courses on distributed software design, I have considered factors such as the reputation of the platform offering the courses, the expertise of the instructors, the comprehensiveness of the course content, and the reviews and ratings from learners, so that you only try the very best ones.
Though, if you are in hurry then you can just go and join Software Architecture & Design of Modern Large Scale Systems course on Udemy. Created by Michael Pogrebinsky, this is an an awesome course for experienced developer to learn Distributed architecture in 2024.
What is Distributed Software Design?
Before seeing the courses to learn Distributed Software Design, let’s first learn what it is. Distributed Software Design refers to the architectural and structural planning of software systems that run on distributed computing environments. In a distributed system, software components are deployed across multiple interconnected computers, often referred to as nodes or servers, which work together to achieve a common goal.
Key characteristics of distributed systems include:
- Decentralization: Components of the software system are distributed across different machines, and there is no central point of control.
- Interconnectedness: The nodes in the system communicate and coordinate with each other to achieve specific tasks.
- Scalability: Distributed systems can easily scale horizontally by adding more machines to the network to handle increased load or demand.
- Fault Tolerance: Distributed systems are designed to be resilient to failures in individual nodes, ensuring that the system can continue to function even if some parts fail.
- Concurrency: Multiple tasks or processes can be executed simultaneously across different nodes.
- Data Distribution: Data is often distributed across nodes, and mechanisms for data consistency and synchronization are crucial.
Distributed software design aims to address the challenges and complexities associated with building effective and reliable systems in such environments. It involves making architectural decisions regarding how components will communicate, share data, handle failures, and ensure overall system performance.
Some common architectural patterns and technologies used in distributed software design include:
- Microservices Architecture: Breaking down a software system into smaller, independent services that communicate with each other.
- Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA): Designing software as a collection of services that communicate through well-defined interfaces.
- Message Queues and Middleware: Using message-oriented communication to enable asynchronous communication between distributed components.
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC): Allowing a program to cause a procedure (subroutine) to execute in another address space (commonly on another machine).
- Distributed Databases: Managing data across multiple servers to provide scalability and fault tolerance.
Understanding distributed software design is crucial for developers and architects working on applications that require scalability, reliability, and performance in complex and dynamic environments. Learning about distributed systems helps professionals design solutions that can handle the challenges posed by the distribution of resources and data across a network.
7 Best Distributed Software Design Courses for Experienced Developers in 2024
Here is a list of best online courses you can join to learn Distributed Software Design and Development in 2024. The list include courses to learn Microservices architecture as well as Service Oriented Architecture, and Message queues.
1. Software Architecture & Design of Modern Large Scale Systems
This is a bestselling course designed to empower aspiring Software Architects or Technical Leads with the knowledge and skills required to master the intricacies of building large-scale software systems.
With a stellar rating of 4.8 out of 5 from a substantial student base of 42,246, this course stands as a testament to its quality and effectiveness. Created by Michael Pogrebinsky, a Java expert and software architect, the course is available in English and French. S
In this course you will learn the essentials of software architecture for handling millions of requests daily, mastering the art of designing scalable, available, and high-performance systems.
The curriculum covers industry-proven architectural patterns, building blocks, and best practices. Additionally, participants will learn to define technical requirements, high-level components, and APIs crucial for developing robust software systems.
The inclusion of real-world applications and a focus on preparing students for System Design Interviews further adds to the course’s practicality. Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, this comprehensive offering includes 7 hours of on-demand video, 9 articles, downloadable resources, and provides lifetime access upon completion.
Whether you aspire to become a Software Architect or enhance your technical leadership skills, this course offers a valuable stepping stone in your professional journey.
Here is the link to join this course — Software Architecture & Design of Modern Large Scale Systems
2. Grokking Microservices Design Patterns on DesignGuru.io
“Grokking Microservices Design Patterns” is an intermediate-level online course designed to empower software professionals with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the intricacies of modern software architecture.
With a study time of 60 hours, 95 lessons, and access to practical playgrounds, this course offers a comprehensive overview of microservices.
It delves into the fundamental principles, patterns, and best practices that form the foundation of microservice architectures, addressing why they have become the preferred choice for scalable and resilient applications across various industries.
Throughout the course, participants explore essential design patterns such as Sidecar, API Gateway, Circuit Breaker, and more, gaining practical insights through real-world examples and code snippets.
Whether you’re an experienced developer, an aspiring software architect, or an IT professional aiming to stay at the forefront of technology trends, this course provides valuable insights into designing and managing complex systems with microservices.
Here is the link to join this course — Grokking Microservices Design Patterns on DesignGuru.io
By the way, DesignGuru also have many other Grokking courses to prepare for essential coding interview topics like OOP Design and learn System Design, Dynamic Programming etc and you can get access to all of their courses for a big discount by joining their All course bundle. You can also use code GURU to get 30% discount.
3. Distributed Systems & Cloud Computing with Java
This is another course from Michael which deep dives in Distributed System and suitable for Java developers. This is another bestselling course that immerses learners in the intricacies of designing and implementing distributed Java applications at scale.
Boasting a stellar rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 2,653 reviews, and with 22,586 students enrolled, this course is a testament to its popularity and effectiveness.
Created by Michael Pogrebinsky, the course covers essential topics such as parallel programming, distributed computing, and cloud software architecture using Java.
Participants will gain the skills to design and build massively parallel Java applications and distributed algorithms, ensuring efficiency and fault tolerance. The curriculum extends to creating cloud-based software systems that prioritize low latency, high availability, and exceptional performance.
With a focus on mastering software architecture tailored for the modern era of cloud computing, the course empowers learners to globally deploy distributed programs on the cloud, catering to millions of users, handling billions of requests, and managing petabytes of data.
Here is the link to join this course — Distributed Systems & Cloud Computing with Java
4. Cloud Computing Specialization on Coursera by the University of Illinois
Taught by experts from the University of Illinois, this specialization provides a holistic view of cloud computing, a crucial aspect of modern distributed systems.
The courses cover topics such as virtualization, containerization, and microservices. With hands-on labs using platforms like AWS and Docker, learners gain practical skills in building and deploying distributed applications.
Here is the link to join this course — Cloud Computing Specialization
They also have a free course called, Building Scalable Java Microservices with Spring Boot and Spring Cloud . It’s a great resource for r those looking for a hands-on approach with a focus on Java-based technologies.
It delves into building microservices using Spring Boot and Spring Cloud, emphasizing scalability and resilience. The course covers service discovery, distributed configuration, and fault tolerance, providing practical insights for Java developers working on distributed systems.
By the way, instead of joining these courses and specialization individually, you can also join the Coursera Plus, a subscription plan from Coursera which gives you unlimited access to their most popular courses, specialization, professional certificate, and guided projects. They are also offering $200 off now.
5. Design Microservices Architecture with Patterns & Principles
This is another highly acclaimed course designed for individuals seeking expertise in evolving from a monolithic to event-driven microservices architecture. With an impressive rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 3,963 reviews and 34,644 students enrolled, this course is a top choice for those looking to enhance their skills.
Created by an experienced professional Mehmet Ozkaya, the course covers a comprehensive range of topics, including designing microservices architecture using design patterns, principles, and best practices. Participants will learn how to handle millions of requests by designing systems for high availability, high scalability, low latency, and resilience to network failures.
The course guides learners through the journey of software architecture design, from monolithic to serverless microservices, providing step-by-step insights into the evolution of architecture.
Topics covered include microservices decomposition strategies, communication, data management, distributed transactions, caching, deployments with containers and orchestrators, resilience, observability, monitoring, design patterns, and best practices.
The curriculum also delves into real-world scenarios, such as e-commerce app design and implementation. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, full lifetime access, and a certificate of completion, this course is definitely an invaluable resource for those aspiring to master microservices architecture.
Here is the link to join this course — Design Microservices Architecture with Patterns & Principles
6. Designing Distributed Systems (Free Book)
This is a free book that serves as an invaluable resource for individuals venturing into the complex realm of distributed systems. Authored by Brendon Burns, a distinguished Engineer in Microsoft and ex Lead engineer on Kubernetes, this book provides comprehensive insights into the principles, patterns, and practices essential for designing robust and scalable distributed systems.
With the increasing prevalence of cloud computing and the need for systems to handle large-scale applications, understanding the intricacies of distributed systems is paramount.
This book covers fundamental concepts such as consistency, availability, and partition tolerance (CAP theorem), along with practical considerations for designing and implementing distributed systems effectively.
The authors delve into architectural patterns, data management, and deployment strategies, offering real-world examples and case studies to reinforce theoretical concepts.
Whether you are a seasoned professional or a newcomer to distributed systems, this free resource equips you with the knowledge needed to tackle the challenges of designing and maintaining distributed systems in today’s dynamic technological landscape.
The availability of such a comprehensive guide without any cost definitely makes it a valuable asset for anyone seeking to enhance their expertise in distributed system design.
Here is the link — https://info.microsoft.com/rs/157-GQE-382/images/EN-CNTNT-eBook-DesigningDistributedSystems.pdf
7. Distributed Systems for Practitioners on Educative.io
This is another awesome course for experienced developers to learn intricacies of Distributed Systems . With 166 lessons spanning 9 hours and 30 minutes, this comprehensive program include an understanding of the complexities inherent in distributed systems, insight into key design problems, knowledge of fundamental algorithms used, and a study of the design of real-life distributed systems.
The course’s primary objective is to establish the basic principles of distributed systems, elucidating their functionality and limitations. It systematically covers essential algorithms and protocols employed in distributed systems, ensuring a seamless learning experience through easy-to-follow modules.
By the end of the course, you will have a robust grasp of the concepts crucial for efficient design in large-scale systems.
This course is tailored not only for system designers but also equips software engineers with the knowledge needed to effectively harness the power of distributed systems. Overall a great course to learn the complexities of distributed systems in 2024.
Hre is the link to join this course — Distributed Systems for Practitioners
Btw, you would need an Educative subscription to join this course, which not only provide access to this course but more than 1000+ courses to learn essential tech skills, prepare for coding interview and improve yourself as a Developer. If you want to invest yourself and upgrade your tech skill, this is one subscription you definitely need. They are also offering 20% discount now.
That’s all about the best books and courses to learn about Distributed Software design in 2024. As the demand for distributed software design expertise continues to grow, staying updated with the latest industry practices is crucial. These top courses offer a mix of theoretical foundations and practical applications, making them invaluable resources for anyone looking to advance their skills in designing and building distributed systems in 2024.
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Thanks for reading this article so far. If you like these best Distributed System design resources then please share with your friends and colleagues. If you have any feedback then feel free to suggest in comments. I will include them as well.
P. S. — If you are preparing for System design interview then I also suggest you to checkout Alex Yu’s System Design Interview — An insider’s guide and ByteByteGo for a complete System design Interview preparation.
