Food in India is a spiritual act.
Let’s assume you found the file. How do you use it effectively? The biggest mistake candidates make is reading the book like a novel.
Do this instead:
Step 1: The "Github" Mock Interview Method
Go to Github and search for system-design-interview/alexxu-v2. You will find thousands of public study notes and Flashcards (Anki decks). Use the PDF to verify their notes. system design interview alex xu volume 2 pdf github fixed
Step 2: The Whiteboard Drill Pick a chapter (e.g., "Chapter 4: Distributing a Counter").
Step 3: The "Fixed" Comparison The author often hides anti-patterns in the text (what not to do). In the "fixed" PDF, these are highlighted in red boxes. Create a table: | Component | Wrong Approach (In Book) | Right Approach (In Book) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Database | Single Master | Multi-master with Quorum | | Cache | Write-through only | Write-around + TTL |
Alex Xu maintains a legitimate GitHub repository for Volume 2. It does not contain the PDF. Instead, it contains: Food in India is a spiritual act
🔗 Official repo: github.com/alex-xu-system/bytebytego (or search “bytebytego system design” on GitHub).
Clone it, star it, and use it alongside the book.
Several online repositories (GitHub, Telegram, etc.) host a PDF claiming to be Volume 2 – Fixed. The “fixed” usually means: Step 2: The Whiteboard Drill Pick a chapter (e
Pros of these PDFs:
✅ Free
✅ Searchable
✅ Great for quick reference or Ctrl+F during mock interviews
Cons / Risks:
❌ Illegal – Piracy hurts authors; Alex Xu’s books are reasonably priced for the value.
❌ Quality varies – Many “fixed” copies still have missing pages, misaligned diagrams, or formatting errors.
❌ No updates – The official ebook/print gets errata fixes.
❌ Ethical red flag – Interviewers sometimes ask what you’re reading; supporting the author is professional courtesy.
You cannot understand Indian lifestyle without understanding the festival hangover. Every week is a different celebration.