Notes & posts
Writing on backend engineering, systems design, and the sharp edges I run into while building.
LRU Cache Explained: Design, Java Implementation, and the Mistakes That Trip Up Senior Engineers
A deep, practical walkthrough of how LRU caches actually work, how to build one correctly in Java with a HashMap and a doubly linked list, and the subtle mistakes that cause bugs in interviews and in production.
Data Structures·23 Jun 2026·10 min readStop Designing REST APIs Wrong: 10 Mistakes Developers Keep Making
A practical guide to the 10 REST API design mistakes that create confusion, break clients, and add technical debt, with clear fixes for each.
Backend·09 Mar 2026·4 min readCut Your LLM Token Bill in Half - How TOON Rewrites the Rules of JSON
Discover how TOON (Token-Oriented Object Notation) can reduce your LLM API costs by 30-60% through smarter data formatting designed specifically for AI applications.
LLM·02 Nov 2025·9 min readHow Big Tech Checks Username Availability in a Fraction of a Second
A deep technical yet approachable breakdown of how massive platforms check username availability instantly while ensuring accuracy at scale.
Backend·10 Aug 2025·7 min readEncoding, Hashing, Encrypting: The Ultimate Guide to Securing Your Data
Understand the key differences between encoding, hashing, and encryption - including how they work, their use cases, and real-world examples.
Security·07 Aug 2025·16 min readWinning Against the Odds: My Unforgettable Smart India Hackathon Journey
A thrilling journey through the Smart India Hackathon-intense challenges, last-minute changes, and an unexpected yet unforgettable win!
Hackathon·26 Nov 2024·6 min read