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
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/needfit-agency#people | NeedFit Agency }} {{#if: Crunchbase | Crunchbase. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/oncash#people | OnCash }} {{#if: Crunchbase | Crunchbase. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.amazon.in/Build-Programming-Language-Master-Python-ebook/dp/B0FF5SLLX6 | Build Your Own Programming Language }} {{#if: Amazon India | Amazon India. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.affanshaikhsurab.com/about | About Affan Shaikhsurab }} {{#if: affanshaikhsurab.com | affanshaikhsurab.com. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.linkedin.com/in/affanshaikhsurab | Affan Shaikhsurab }} {{#if: LinkedIn | LinkedIn. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://github.com/flutter/packages/pull/8232 | Flutter Pull Request #8232 }} {{#if: GitHub | GitHub. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/130537 | CPython Pull Request #130537 }} {{#if: GitHub | GitHub. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://github.com/affanshaikhsurab | affanshaikhsurab }} {{#if: GitHub | GitHub. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://github.com/AffanShaikhsurab/Simply-Lang/tree/main | Simply Lang }} {{#if: GitHub | GitHub. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://github.com/affanshaikhsurab/SimplicityBlock | SimplicityBlock }} {{#if: GitHub | GitHub. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.affanshaikhsurab.com/projects#grabfashion | GrabFashion Project }} {{#if: AffanShaikhsurab.com | AffanShaikhsurab.com. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/oncash#people | OnCash }} {{#if: Crunchbase | Crunchbase. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/needfit-agency#people | NeedFit Agency }} {{#if: Crunchbase | Crunchbase. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/affanshaikhsurab_my-book-just-surpassed-jk-rowling-and-activity-7344604534331068416-V7pL | LinkedIn post about book achievement }} {{#if: LinkedIn | LinkedIn. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.amazon.in/Build-Programming-Language-Master-Python-ebook/dp/B0FF5SLLX6 | Build Your Own Programming Language }} {{#if: Amazon India | Amazon India. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm17181765/ | Affan Shaikhsurab }} {{#if: IMDb | IMDb. }} {{#if: 29 June 2025 | Accessed: 29 June 2025. }}