[Front-End System Design] - Pinterest

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Designing a Pinterest-like Application for Front-End Engineers

1. Collect General Requirements:

   • Define the layout where the pins will be placed in a "masonry" layout.
   • Specify that users can view pins by hovering over them and clicking to see full details, which can include images or gifs.
   • Allow users to post comments and share pins.

2. Define Functional Requirements:

   • Determine the platforms to support (e.g., browsers like Chrome).
   • Ensure compatibility with a wide range of devices, including tablets and smartphones.
   • Consider features like offline mode and optimization for slow network connections.

3. Componentize the Application:

   • Break down the application into components like pins, menus, dropdowns, comments, etc.
   • Establish a component hierarchy to understand dependencies and data flow.

4. Implement Masonry Layout:

   • Design the layout where pins are dynamically loaded as users scroll down.
   • Utilize absolute positioning for efficient rendering and scrolling.

5. Define Data Entities:

   • Identify entities like pins, comments, and users for data management.
   • Develop APIs to fetch and interact with these entities.

6. Manage Data Layers and Store:

   • Normalize data storage for efficient access and rendering.
   • Implement a structured approach to handle data flow within the application.

7. Optimize Performance:

   • Optimize asset loading with asset zipping and HTTP/2 for faster delivery.
   • Split bundles, lazy load images, and use placeholders for improved rendering.
   • Delegate heavy calculations to web workers and cache data to enhance performance.

8. Ensure Accessibility:

   • Implement keyboard shortcuts for easy navigation.
   • Consider color themes for color-blind users and support screen readers for visually impaired users.
   • Adapt text sizes based on user settings and provide live feedback for better accessibility.

9. Wrap Up:

   • Review the high-level schema, component architecture, layout design, data entities, accessibility features, performance optimizations, and data management strategies.
   • Seek feedback and continue refining the design for a user-friendly and efficient application.

By following these steps, you can create a Pinterest-like application tailored for front-end engineers with a focus on design, functionality, performance, and accessibility.