Software design can generally be categorized into three distinct levels:
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High-Level Design (HLD):
- This level involves defining the architecture of the system and identifying the components, modules, and their interactions. It focuses on the overall structure, technologies, and interfaces but does not go into fine details. HLD outlines how the system will meet the requirements and may include diagrams such as architecture diagrams, component diagrams, and interaction diagrams.
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Low-Level Design (LLD):
- At this level, the focus shifts to the detailed design of individual components or modules identified in the high-level design. It involves specifying algorithms, data structures, and the specific implementation details of each component. LLD provides a clear blueprint for the developers, often including pseudo-code, class diagrams, and detailed specifications for API interactions.
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Detailed Design:
- This level provides an even more granular view, detailing the actual code structure and logic for implementing the modules. It may include specifics such as code snippets, database schema, and intricate design patterns. Detailed design is closely aligned with the actual coding process, serving as a guide for developers to write the source code.
These three levels of design work together to ensure that software is developed systematically, from a broad overview down to intricate implementation details.