Technology to change the world

Flipkart has a very heterogeneous stack for a relatively young technology company (2.5 years).  

The  technology choices are made by each team, using the principle "Which  tool solves our problem best". There is no central group of  people/architects who dictate the technology stack. 

Flipkart  runs all its software on Linux - Debian. The website is primarily built  on PHP. There are a lot of behind the scene services and systems, apart  from the Website. Most of them run on the JVM but are not necessarily  built on Java, though Java is very popular. 

For  storage, MySQL is the most popular choice. Memcached is the primary cache layer.All the top NoSQL datastores have been evaluated at Flipkart and  some are used in production.

In  my two years at Flipkart I have worked on projects on Java, a pure  Python project and in my last project at Flipkart we used Scala. We developed quite a bit of code base in Scala. 

There are projects at Flipkart, which use Hadoop and related software.

Quick tips to flip your partner’s heart

Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
It’s Valentine’s Day.
So whatcha gonna do?

Yes… it’s that time of the year when the whole planet is on a love buzz. And if you ever enter a mall this time around, it’s hard to disregard the blinding red-wrapped bouquets or heart-shaped chocolate boxes. No offence but a bit too mushy for my liking.

It’s not enough that love itself is complicated—with all the serotonin, oxytocin and the likes of it doing funny things to you. But a day dedicated to it! Oh man/woman… This is when you need to be extra careful.

We decided to hop onto the V-Day bandwagon and dole out some expert advice of our own. So if you are the kind who likes to give surprises to your partner, here are 5 spontaneous romantic blunders that you need to avoid.
Blooming allergies

The one time of the year when the flower industry grosses max. It’s tempting to get a bouquet of roses on this day, but make sure your partner is not allergic. Else right after you splurge on those blooms, you may end up splurging on antihistamines as well.

Geek-out a bit

For those thinking about getting something along these lines, read up on the geek speak. Xbox or PlayStation might sound like just names to you, but for the serious gamer, they are po-ooo-les apart. And this applies to most gadgets. Since you have a few more hours, it’s worth investing some time to snoop on your partner’s preference before shelling out months of savings on something that won’t really succeed on bowling them over.

…and one ring to bind them

This one is chiefly for the guys. We all know that girls love accessories (yes, yes, we know we are stereotyping). And being your constantly confused self (been there), you might subconsciously get a ring as a gift (done that)—thinking it’s a cute and easy buy. Well guess what brother?! To most, this is an official proposal, so be sure you mean it, because the ‘duh’ face can’t save you later.

Take it all the way

A candle light dinner, an unforgettable gift, a long drive… imagine you had it going well so far. And when it’s time for a movie, you pull out your favorite flick—a DVD of The Conjuring. Why not… after all, it’s all going well so far! BUZZZZ! Wrong buddy. End your day with a movie that your partner would like (and if it’s The Conjuring, well lucky you!)

Avoid doing nothing

While there are loads of things you shouldn’t do, there is one thing you must! Do something. Get a box of chocolates, write a mushy poem, sing a lousy song… whether it works or not is irrelevant. At least give it a shot and you will be remembered for trying.

So folks… Keep these micro-tips handy and make sure you make the most of this Valentine’s Day. And while we are wallowing in love, take a sneak-peek on how we are celebrating this Valentine’s Day at Flipkart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj-ICIIcQR4

How to Dress for All Those Summer Work Events

Summer is the time when many companies try to mix it up and make a real effort to keep employees happy–since they’re sitting in an office all day while staring outside at the sunshine. This includes corporate retreats, outings and parties. A barbecue at your boss’s house is very different than a happy hour with your co-workers. And what about a boat party? How the heck do you look professional when your hair and skirt are blowing in every direction? Well we talked to some experts, so you don’t find yourself in a string bikini at a party with no one in bathing suits.

Jenny Cao-Wu of career fashion site Freshionable said:

For off-campus gatherings in general, I think the main concern when it comes to summer fashion is the risk of revealing too much skin. Rather than wearing shorter skirts or tops that bare a lot of skin, young women should stick with clothes that feature classic silhouettes, but updated prints (floral and geometric prints are very on trend) or accents like a neon trim. The right prints and accents can make the outfit look and feel more modern, while classic silhouettes like the A-line dress will be appropriate in all settings.

But just because you have to be more buttoned-up than usual, it doesn’t mean you can’t wear what you want.

Nicole Busch is a Style for Hire stylist, handpicked and trained by Stacy London of “What Not to Wear.” She told Levo, “When attending a casual work function, this is a great way to express yourself. But remember, you are still representing yourself and your company.”

The Boat Party

Jennifer and Rahiel, co-founders of SpoiledLittleLAGirls.com, said play with the nautical look and grab a simple white t-shirt you don’t mind getting a bit damp with a pair of striped shorts. Complete the look with a parka to keep warm as the sun sets, and a bib necklace to add some sparkle. Ahoy!

Heather Crotty, Director of Marketing for TransVoyant.com, says make sure the amount of skin you are showing is appropriate (watch the cleavage and skirt length) because you never know who you will run into at these events (e.g. executives and clients that you are trying to impress). ”Wear something that is comfortable and fits with the event because nothing will kill your confidence level more than struggling with high heels at a lawn party or fighting to keep a flowy skirt down on a breezy boat trip,” she told Levo.

The Barbecue/Park/Garden Party

Jennifer and Rahiel, of SpoiledLittleLAGirls.com, say this is the time to bring out the pretty sundresses and cardigans! As long as the hemline is appropriate, you can have a lot of fun here with prints. The most important thing is to feel confident and comfortable.

Sara Zamikoff, of Emporium, says her number one rule is NO FLIP FLOPS.

There are no circumstances in which flip flops are appropriate for a work event. Swap out the Havaianas for an embellished flat—particularly one with a peep toe. Sandals and wedges are also appropriate footwear. For an easy go-to outfit, the sundress is always a classic piece. You can layer it up with a scarf or cashmere cardigan for a more demure look. Just keep in mind that you never want to show too much cleavage.

Another great way to look chic and stay cool is shorts. You’ll want to make sure they hit you slightly above the knee and don’t show too much skin. Pair with a blouse, flats and some statement accessories.