📌 links that will scale your knowledge here (visual explanations and diagrams are 🔥 there so have a look as this is smth you’ll need in your interviews):
we are building a system which keeps its users informed about important events. It's more than just popping up alerts; it's about delivering the right information, to the right person, at the right time.
Why are Notification Systems Important?
Notifications are the lifeblood of user engagement in many applications. They:
- Drive engagement: Bring users back to the app.
- Provide real-time updates: Inform users about important events, such as a friend request, a new message, or an order update.
- Personalized Communication: Tailor communications to each user's preferences.
- Increase customer satisfaction: by helping users manage the app
Key Components: The Notification Pipeline
At the heart of any notification system lies a pipeline. Think of it as an assembly line where each step plays a role in getting the notification out to the user:
- Event Generation: The trigger that starts the whole process. Something happens in the system (e.g., a user posts a comment).
- Notification Creation: The raw data is transformed into a notification object, specifying the type of notification, the target user(s), and the message content.
- Routing: The notification needs to be directed to the correct delivery channel(s) (e.g., push notification, email, SMS, in-app alert).
- Delivery: The actual sending of the notification through the chosen channel. This involves interacting with different services (e.g., APNs for iOS push, FCM for Android push, SendGrid for email).
- Feedback & Analytics: Tracking the delivery status and user interaction with notifications is vital for optimization. Did the user receive it? Did they open it?
Design Considerations: The Devil's in the Details
It's not just about sending alerts; it's about doing it well. Here are key design points: