Design Google Maps

Functional Requirements

1. Map Rendering

   • Display geographical maps with varying levels of detail.
   • Support for different map views: satellite, terrain, and street view.
   • Interactive panning and zooming capabilities.

2. Search Functionality

   • Ability to search for locations, addresses, and points of interest (POIs).
   • Autocomplete suggestions for search queries.

3. Directions and Navigation

   • Provide step-by-step directions for various modes of transport: driving, walking, cycling, and public transit.
   • Real-time turn-by-turn navigation.

4. Traffic Information

   • Display real-time traffic conditions and congestion levels.
   • Suggest alternative routes based on current traffic conditions.

5. User Location Services

   • Ability to detect and display the user's current location.
   • Support for location sharing with other users.

6. Offline Maps

   • Allow users to download maps for offline use.
   • Ensure offline access to basic navigation and search features.

7. Local Business Information

   • Display information about local businesses, including hours, reviews, and contact details.
   • Support for user-generated reviews and ratings.

8. Integration with External Services

   • Provide APIs for third-party applications to integrate map services.
   • Support for embedding maps in external websites and applications.

Non-Functional Requirements

1. Scalability

   • Handle millions of concurrent users and requests globally.
   • Efficiently manage large volumes of geographical data and user-generated content.

2. Performance

   • Ensure low latency for map rendering and search queries.
   • Provide real-time updates for traffic and navigation.

3. Reliability and Availability

   • Achieve high availability with minimal downtime.
   • Implement redundancy and failover mechanisms to ensure service continuity.

4. Security

   • Protect user data and privacy, especially location information.
   • Implement secure APIs to prevent unauthorized access.

5. Localization and Internationalization

   • Support multiple languages and regional formats.
   • Adapt to local regulations and mapping standards.

6. Data Accuracy

   • Ensure high accuracy and up-to-date information for maps and traffic data.
   • Regularly update geographical data and POIs.

7. Extensibility

   • Allow for easy integration of new features and data sources.
   • Support for third-party plugins and extensions.

These requirements will guide the subsequent steps in designing a robust and user-friendly Google Maps system.