Systems Design

Cursor-Based Pagination: Handling Deletions, Collisions & Secure Cursors Pagination requires subtle implementation for a smooth infinite scroll. In this post I’ll share what I learned while reading on cursor‑based pagination for a real‑time feed – how it differs from the classic offset/limit approach, how it deals with deletions and timestamp collisions, what goes into a cursor (spoiler: it’s not a random token), why you should (or shouldn’t) protect cursors from tampering, what to cache and how to manage stale data....

After going through a final-round interviews as a senior iOS engineer, I’ve learned that technical skills alone aren’t enough. The best candidates excel across multiple dimensions: system design thinking, behavioral storytelling, code review acumen, and interview presence. This post captures the hard-won lessons from my recent interview experiences—what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently next time. These aren’t theoretical tips, but practical insights that came from real feedback and reflection....