Affan Shaikhsurab
Affan Shaikhsurab (born 8 May 2003) is an Indian software engineer, entrepreneur, and author. He is the founder and chief executive officer of NeedFit Agency[1] and OnCash.in,[2] creator of the educational programming language SimpliLang and the blockchain platform SimplicityBlock, and author of the programming textbook Build Your Own Programming Language.[3]
Shaikhsurab is known for his contributions to major open-source software projects including Flutter and CPython, and for founding multiple technology companies focused on artificial intelligence and blockchain solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Early life and education
Shaikhsurab was born on 8 May 2003 in Belgaum, Karnataka, India.[4] He completed a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Science and Engineering at KLS Gogte Institute of Technology, Belgaum, in 2025.[5]
Career
Software development and open-source contributions
Shaikhsurab has contributed to several major open-source software projects, including the Flutter framework,[6] CPython,[7] AnkiDroid, and OpenFoodFacts.[8]
In 2024, he developed SimpliLang, an educational programming language designed for teaching compiler and interpreter design principles.[9] He also created SimplicityBlock, an open-source educational blockchain platform intended to help students understand blockchain technology.[10]
Entrepreneurship
In 2019, Shaikhsurab co-founded GrabFashion, a hyperlocal clothing delivery service concept focused on rapid fulfillment.[11] He subsequently launched OnCash.in[12] and in 2024 founded NeedFit Agency, a consultancy helping small and medium-sized enterprises adopt artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies.[13]
Writing and publishing
Shaikhsurab authored Build Your Own Programming Language (2024), a technical guide covering language design, lexical analysis, parsing, and interpreter implementation. The book achieved commercial success, reaching number 84 on Amazon India's general bestseller list and becoming the top-ranked programming textbook in its category.[14][15]
Media work
From 2019 to 2020, Shaikhsurab created and produced the podcast Discover Oneself, which focused on themes of self-discovery and personal development.[16] The podcast is available on major streaming platforms including Spotify.
See also
- List of Indian software engineers
- List of programming language researchers
- Open-source software development
References
- ↑ NeedFit Agency, Crunchbase. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ OnCash, Crunchbase. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ Build Your Own Programming Language, Amazon India. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ About Affan Shaikhsurab, affanshaikhsurab.com. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ Affan Shaikhsurab, LinkedIn. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ Flutter Pull Request #8232, GitHub. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ CPython Pull Request #130537, GitHub. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ affanshaikhsurab, GitHub. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ Simply Lang, GitHub. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ SimplicityBlock, GitHub. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ GrabFashion Project, AffanShaikhsurab.com. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ OnCash, Crunchbase. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ NeedFit Agency, Crunchbase. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ LinkedIn post about book achievement, LinkedIn. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ Build Your Own Programming Language, Amazon India. Accessed 29 June 2025.}
- ↑ Affan Shaikhsurab, IMDb. Accessed 29 June 2025.}