Notes & posts
Writing on backend engineering, systems design, and the sharp edges I run into while building.
- Data Structures·23 Jun 2026·10 min read
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.
- Backend·09 Mar 2026·4 min read
Stop 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.
- LLM·02 Nov 2025·9 min read
Cut 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.
- Backend·10 Aug 2025·7 min read
How 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.
- Security·07 Aug 2025·16 min read
Encoding, 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.
- Hackathon·26 Nov 2024·6 min read
Winning 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!