Hello, I'm Shyam

A compiler developer who got curious about the web

The Origin Story

I started learning coding in 2002, during the pre-YouTube era when books were my only friends and internet access cost ₹60/hour for a 30kbps shared connection. Despite graduating in IT, I consider myself self-taught - practicing 5-6 hours daily, mastering C/C++ through sheer dedication. Within a year, I was teaching C programming to students. The first rupee I earned was from sharing that knowledge.

Back in 2007, I was deep in the world of hardware compilers at Cadence Design Systems, working on the Incisive® Formal Verifier. My days were filled with C++, data structures, and power optimization algorithms. I even published papers at IEEE about “Quality-Driven Runtime Bitwidth Optimization in Mobile Devices” - proper nerdy stuff.

But then something happened. I discovered this thing called Joomla in 2008, and suddenly the web became my new compiler. Instead of optimizing CPU cycles, I was optimizing user experiences. My first dollar online came that same year, and I haven't looked back since.

“From teaching C programming in 2003 to building products installed on 150K+ websites. Originally a Compiler Developer, moved to Web Development out of curiosity.”

— That curiosity led to 20+ products, 2 successful exits, and meeting PM Modi in Silicon Valley

My Philosophy

Foundation First

In the modern social media era, focus is difficult. Commit to one technology and build a strong foundation. You'll have time to expand later, but without a solid base, you can't build higher. This approach took me from teaching C in 2003 to building products used globally.

Don't Skip the Hard Part

In the age of AI and shortcuts, I warn against using tools that prevent deep learning. You can't build an “engineering brain” by skipping the fundamentals. True mastery comes from understanding the why behind every solution.

Keep It Simple

“I love bullet points, it's to-the-point and saves time.” Complexity is the enemy of execution. The best solutions are often the simplest ones. Clear communication, clean code, and direct action beat overthinking every time.

The Journey

2022-Present: The AI Engineer

  • • Fractional developer for multiple AI-first startups
  • • 2025: AI experiment - Prompt Building, RAG, FineTuning, Image Generation, Video Generation, Code Generation (Actively Working)
  • • 2025: ReelAbilities.org - Migrating Wordpress to Next.js + Directus CMS
  • • 2023: LinkStorm - AI-powered SEO with OpenAI fine-tuning (Actively Working)
  • • 2023: Pictory Zapier integration - automated AI video workflows
  • • 2023: AuthorKeynotes - Literary analysis platform
  • • 2023: uCraft - Solution Architect

2017-2022: The Explorer & Wanderer

  • • 2022: Screenable - Video playback analytics platform
  • • 2021: EcoMitram App - 900K to 1.3M installations (Actively Volunteering)
  • • 2020: Movies Everywhere - Virtual film festival platform (CTO)
  • • 2019: VIXR Cloud - 3D/XR product experiences platform (2019-2023)
  • • 2019: Bizital, Online Kirana Tech (2000+ shops, 2019-2021)
  • • 2017: SafiMoney:
  • • 2017: ePotli, All In One Mobile Apps (200K installs, 2017-2022)
  • • 2017: CoinSwappy - crypto exchange aggregator

2009-2017: The Bootstrapper & Joomla Lover

  • • 2017: ExchangeRateIQ acquired
  • • 2017: PayPlans acquired by StackIdeas
  • • 2015: ReadyViews - AI-powered sentiment analysis engine for e-commerce reviews
  • • 2015: Visited Facebook & MIT campus as part of the delegation
  • • 2015: Featured at NASSCOM's first India-US Startup Konnect with PM Modi in Silicon Valley
  • • 2013: Shared my Joomla Love Story at Mumbai Joomla Day
  • • 2011: Presented on Selenium Automated Testing for Joomla at Joomla Day Pune
  • • Created Joomla eCommerce Suite:
    • - PayMart - Integrated Joomla Extension Marketplace platform
    • - PayCart - Complete e-commerce solution for Joomla
    • - PayInvoice - Professional invoicing system
    • - PayPlans - World's #1 Joomla payment component (150K+ websites, 30 languages, 120 payment gateways)
  • • Developed Joomla Tools suite:
    • - Security Plugins
    • - Community Plugin
  • • Built joomlaxi.com - comprehensive Joomla extensions ecosystem
  • • 2009: Bootstrapped Ready Bytes from Bhilwara, Rajasthan - no business background, learned by doing

2001-2009: The Self-Taught Scholar & Developer

  • • 2008: Created mywebedu.com (later goguru.in), started Most Wanted Joomla Hacks blog (earned first $ online), first Stack Overflow badge
  • • 2007: Started hosting company WebPotli (Aug 16)
  • • 2007: Joined Cadence Design Systems, worked on formal verification
  • • 2006-07: Assistant Professor in Government Engineering College
  • • 2006: Worked at Infosys (left seeking “enlightenment”), IIT Delhi, Aricent
  • • 2005-06: Published 3 Research papers on power optimization (Links)
  • • 2001-05: Graduation/Engineering in Computer Science, focused on hardware compilers
  • • 2003: Started teaching C programming to students - first income from coding
  • • 2002: Started self-learning coding with books, practicing 5-6 hours daily

Technical DNA

20+

Products Built

From payment systems to AI platforms

10k+

Stack Overflow Rep

Helping 29.3k developers since 2008

100+

Developers Mentored

Trained interns to become engineers

The Stack Evolution

Phase 1 (2001-2009)

C, C++, Perl, Hardware Compilers, Formal Verification, Power Optimization

Phase 2 (2009-2017)

PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, jQuery, Joomla, PayPal API, Payment Gateways

Phase 3 (2017-2022)

React, Vue.js, Node.js, MongoDB, Firebase, Unity, 3D/XR, Blockchain

Phase 4 (2022-Present)

TypeScript, Next.js, AI/ML (OpenAI, LangChain), RAG, Fine-tuning, Vector DBs

Key Achievements

2

Successful Product Exits

NASSCOM India-US Startup Konnect 2015

Ready Bytes selected among top 35 Indian startups. Event led by PM Narendra Modi in Silicon Valley.

ShopOut Chrome Extension

Shortlisted by Google Editors for innovation in smart shopping assistance.

PayPlans - Best Joomla Extension 2013

Award-winning payment system for Joomla. Held “Best Payment System” title for 6 years.

Bootstrapped & Profitable Products

  • ePotli - 200K+ installs, profitable for 5 years (2017-2022)
  • JoomlaXi Products - Suite of Joomla extensions, profitable for 8 years (2009-2017)
  • LinkStorm - AI-powered SEO platform, profitable since 2025

The Real Me

I'm that guy who left a cushy job at Infosys because there was “no enlightenment there.” Who publishes IEEE papers one year and builds Joomla plugins the next. Who believes in the philosophy of the raw clay pitcher - that true strength comes from facing the fire.

My handle ssv445 has been consistent since 2008 across GitHub, Stack Overflow, Twitter, and every platform I've touched. It's not just a username; it's a digital fingerprint of two decades of building.

Today, I work as a fractional developer because I realized something: Companies need someone who's been through the compiler-to-cloud journey. Someone who doesn't skip the hard parts. Someone who can build it, own it, and fix it.

“I love bullet points, it's to-the-point and saves time.”

— My actual philosophy on communication

My Favourites

Books That Shaped Me

Bhagavad Gita

Rework by Jason Fried & DHH

People Who Inspire

Swami Vivekananda

APJ Abdul Kalam

Jason Fried

Jason Cohen

Naval Ravikant

Osho

Steve Jobs

Movies That Inspire

Interstellar

Inception

Let's Connect

Find me where developers hang out

Need a Fractional Developer?

Let's build something that matters. No fluff, just engineering.

Check Availability

Reference Links

Ready Bytes Products

“A digital fingerprint of two decades of building - from IEEE papers to mobile apps”