Design a package installer with dependencies

Q: Design a package installer with dependencies

This is a System Design interview question from Amazon for Software Engineer roles. View the full question and solution on PracHub.

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Question

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Design a package installer system (like a simplified OS/package manager) that installs packages while respecting dependency resolution.

Requirements

Input: a request to install package P (optionally with a version constraint).
Each package may depend on other packages (with version constraints).
The system must resolve dependencies and install packages in the correct order.
Detect and report errors clearly:
- missing packages
- version conflicts
- dependency cycles
Handle partial failure (e.g., installation fails mid-way) safely.

Follow-up

What if a package includes a payload (configuration/parameters/artifacts) that must be passed into the installation step? How would you model, validate, and deliver that payload securely and reliably?

Design a package installer with dependencies

Requirements

Follow-up

Solution

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