JustDial Interview Questions

JustDial Interview Questions

On October 8, 2025, Posted by , In Interview Questions, With Comments Off on JustDial Interview Questions

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Preparing for a JustDial interview can be a game-changer in your career, whether you’re a developer, data analyst, or aspiring marketer. From tackling technical challenges to solving real-world business scenarios, JustDial’s interview process is designed to test your expertise, creativity, and problem-solving skills. I know how intimidating interviews can be, especially when you’re unsure of what to expect. That’s why I’m here to guide you through the types of questions JustDial typically asks, focusing on areas like coding, databases, APIs, customer engagement, and even digital marketing strategies.

In this guide, you’ll find a collection of carefully curated JustDial Interview Questions to help you prepare with confidence. Each question is paired with insights and examples to give you a clear idea of how to approach it. Whether you’re gearing up for a technical round or preparing for situational and behavioral questions, this content will empower you to showcase your skills and align with JustDial’s expectations. Let’s dive in and make sure you’re fully equipped to nail your next JustDial interview!

Beginner JustDial Interview Questions.

1. What is JustDial, and how does it function as a local search platform?

JustDial is a local search platform that connects users to businesses and services in their area. It acts as a bridge, enabling customers to find relevant information about restaurants, doctors, electricians, or any other service providers with just a few clicks. Its vast database of businesses and user-friendly interface makes it an essential tool for anyone looking for quick and accurate local results. The platform uses advanced algorithms to filter and rank search results based on user preferences, proximity, and reviews.

What makes JustDial unique is its integration of multiple channels, including its website, mobile app, and customer service hotline. This ensures accessibility for a wide range of users. The platform’s search functionality is backed by sophisticated indexing and categorization techniques, ensuring users find exactly what they need in seconds. For businesses, JustDial provides a robust marketing tool, allowing them to reach a larger audience and boost visibility.

2. Can you explain the concept of a database and how it is used in JustDial’s platform?

A database is an organized collection of data that can be easily accessed, managed, and updated. JustDial relies heavily on databases to store information about businesses, services, user reviews, and more. Databases are the backbone of JustDial’s search operations, ensuring that user queries are matched with accurate and relevant results. This data is stored in a structured format, typically in tables, which makes it easier to retrieve and manipulate.

On JustDial, databases play a key role in managing millions of listings and keeping them up-to-date. For instance, if a user searches for “plumbers near me,” the platform queries its database to find plumbers matching the user’s location and preferences. This information is then ranked and presented in a readable format. Databases also store user interaction data, enabling features like personalized recommendations and tracking user preferences to improve the overall experience.

3. What are APIs, and why are they important for JustDial’s services?

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are essential tools that allow different software systems to communicate with each other. In the context of JustDial, APIs enable seamless integration between various components of the platform, such as the database, mobile app, and website. APIs are crucial because they allow developers to build scalable and efficient systems without recreating functionalities from scratch.

For example, when a user searches for “electricians in Mumbai” on the JustDial app, an API call is made to fetch the relevant data from the database. The API formats the request, retrieves the data, and sends it back to the user’s device in a fraction of a second. By using APIs, JustDial ensures consistency across platforms while making it easier to introduce new features. APIs also allow third-party applications to access JustDial’s services, enhancing its ecosystem.

Here’s a simple API call example:

fetch('https://api.justdial.com/search?location=Mumbai&type=electrician')
  .then(response => response.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(error => console.error('Error:', error));

This code demonstrates a typical API request where the location and type parameters are sent to retrieve relevant results.

4. How would you fetch data from a MySQL database?

Fetching data from a MySQL database involves writing a query in SQL (Structured Query Language) and executing it using a programming language like Python or PHP. For example, if I wanted to retrieve all businesses listed under “restaurants” in a specific city, I would write a query like this:

SELECT * FROM businesses WHERE category = 'restaurant' AND city = 'Mumbai';

This query selects all rows in the businesses table where the category is “restaurant” and the city is “Mumbai.” The result can then be used to populate search results on JustDial. In a real-world scenario, this query would be part of a script that connects to the database, executes the query, and processes the results. Here’s an example in Python:

import mysql.connector

# Connect to the database
connection = mysql.connector.connect(
    host="localhost",
    user="your_username",
    password="your_password",
    database="justdial_db"
)

cursor = connection.cursor()
query = "SELECT * FROM businesses WHERE category = 'restaurant' AND city = 'Mumbai';"
cursor.execute(query)

# Fetch and display results
for result in cursor.fetchall():
    print(result)

connection.close()

This script connects to a MySQL database, executes the query, and displays the results. Such methods are essential for retrieving data dynamically based on user queries.

5. What is RESTful API, and how does it differ from SOAP?

A RESTful API (Representational State Transfer API) is a lightweight, flexible approach to building web services. It uses HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE to perform operations on resources, which are typically represented in JSON or XML format. RESTful APIs are stateless, meaning each request is independent and contains all the information needed to process it. This makes REST a popular choice for modern platforms like JustDial, which require fast and scalable APIs to handle a high volume of requests.

In contrast, SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a protocol-based approach that relies on XML for message formatting and typically uses more complex structures. While SOAP offers higher security and is suitable for enterprise-level applications, it can be slower and less flexible than REST. REST is ideal for JustDial because of its simplicity, ease of implementation, and compatibility with various technologies.

For example, a RESTful API call to fetch businesses might look like this:

GET /businesses?category=restaurant&city=Mumbai HTTP/1.1
Host: api.justdial.com
Content-Type: application/json

This is easier to understand and integrate compared to a SOAP request, which requires a detailed XML envelope. By using RESTful APIs, JustDial ensures its services are accessible and scalable while maintaining high performance.

6. Can you explain the role of front-end technologies in enhancing user experience on JustDial?

Front-end technologies play a vital role in delivering a seamless and engaging user experience (UX) on JustDial. They define how users interact with the platform by ensuring that the interface is intuitive, responsive, and visually appealing. Technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are the foundation for designing web pages, making them easy to navigate and mobile-friendly. A clean layout and fast-loading interface can significantly enhance the overall experience, ensuring users find what they are looking for without frustration.

Advanced front-end frameworks like React and Angular further boost the performance and scalability of JustDial’s platform. These tools enable dynamic rendering, which ensures that only the necessary parts of the page update, improving speed and interactivity. For instance, when users search for services on JustDial, they experience minimal page reloads and faster results thanks to these technologies. A sample React snippet for rendering dynamic search results might look like this:

function SearchResults({ results }) {
  return (
    <ul>
      {results.map((result, index) => (
        <li key={index}>{result.name}</li>
      ))}
    </ul>
  );
}

Code Explanation: This React component dynamically renders a list of search results by mapping through an array of results passed as props. The map function generates a <li> for each result, ensuring quick updates to the UI without reloading the page. The key attribute ensures efficient rendering by React. This snippet improves responsiveness and reduces latency in search operations.

7. What are some of the key features of JavaScript, and how can it improve JustDial’s user interface?

JavaScript is the backbone of dynamic web development, offering key features that enhance JustDial’s user interface. It allows for real-time updates, meaning users don’t have to refresh the page to see new content. For example, search suggestions on JustDial populate instantly as users type their queries, providing a smoother experience. JavaScript also enables client-side validation, ensuring users input correct data before submitting forms, reducing errors and improving efficiency.

Additionally, libraries like jQuery and frameworks such as React provide tools to create responsive, interactive elements. For instance, React can render search results dynamically, while animations created using JavaScript enhance visual appeal. Here’s an example of a JavaScript snippet that dynamically updates a search result:

const searchInput = document.getElementById('search');
searchInput.addEventListener('input', (event) => {
  const query = event.target.value;
  fetch(`/api/search?q=${query}`)
    .then(response => response.json())
    .then(results => displayResults(results))
    .catch(error => console.error('Error fetching results:', error));
});

function displayResults(results) {
  const resultContainer = document.getElementById('results');
  resultContainer.innerHTML = results.map(result => `<li>${result.name}</li>`).join('');
}

Code Explanation: This JavaScript snippet listens for input in a search field and fetches results using a GET request to a server endpoint. It updates the DOM dynamically by appending search results as list items in a container. Error handling ensures smooth operation even if the server request fails. This approach enhances interactivity and reduces the need for full-page reloads.

8. How do you ensure data security when dealing with user-sensitive information?

Ensuring data security is critical for platforms like JustDial, where user-sensitive information such as contact details and preferences are stored. The first step is to implement secure communication channels using SSL/TLS encryption, ensuring that all data exchanged between users and the platform is encrypted. This prevents unauthorized parties from intercepting or altering the data. For example, HTTPS is a mandatory protocol for ensuring secure connections.

Another important measure is data encryption at rest, which ensures that even if databases are compromised, the data remains unreadable without the decryption keys. For example, sensitive information can be hashed using encryption libraries in Node.js:

const crypto = require('crypto');
const secret = 'secureKey';
const hash = crypto.createHmac('sha256', secret)
                   .update('UserSensitiveData')
                   .digest('hex');
console.log(hash);

Code Explanation: This Node.js snippet creates a secure hash using the HMAC algorithm with SHA-256. The crypto library generates a unique hash of user-sensitive data combined with a secret key. The resulting hash is irreversible, ensuring data protection even if the database is compromised. It is especially useful for storing passwords securely.

9. What is your understanding of SEO, and why is it critical for JustDial?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of improving a website’s visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs). For JustDial, SEO is essential because it ensures that users can easily find the platform when searching for local services. A higher ranking on search engines translates to increased traffic and user engagement, directly impacting the platform’s success. SEO involves optimizing content, meta tags, and keywords to make the platform more accessible to search engines like Google.

JustDial leverages local SEO strategies to target specific regions and audiences. For instance, ensuring that each business listing is optimized with accurate information, keywords, and user reviews enhances visibility. Tools like structured data markup help search engines understand the platform’s content better, improving its ranking. A snippet for structured data in JSON-LD format might look like this:

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "LocalBusiness",
  "name": "JustDial",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "streetAddress": "123 Main Street",
    "addressLocality": "Mumbai",
    "postalCode": "400001",
    "addressCountry": "India"
  },
  "telephone": "+91-1234567890",
  "url": "https://www.justdial.com"
}

Code Explanation: This JSON-LD snippet defines structured data for a local business using schema.org standards. It includes essential details like business name, address, phone number, and URL. Search engines read this data to display rich snippets, improving search visibility and click-through rates.

10. How would you optimize a web page for faster loading?

Optimizing a web page for faster loading is crucial for platforms like JustDial, where users expect quick responses. The first step is to minimize the size of resources by compressing images and using efficient file formats such as WebP. Tools like lazy loading ensure that only visible content loads initially, reducing the time taken to display the page. This is particularly useful for pages with extensive business listings or images.

Another strategy is to minimize HTTP requests by combining CSS and JavaScript files and using content delivery networks (CDNs to distribute assets globally. Additionally, leveraging browser caching allows users to load frequently accessed content faster.

11. What is the difference between client-side and server-side scripting?

Client-side scripting refers to code executed on the user’s browser, ensuring interactive and responsive user experiences. It uses technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to render visual elements and provide real-time feedback, such as form validations or dynamic content updates, without communicating with the server. This reduces server load and improves user experience but may expose code to end-users, posing security risks.
Server-side scripting, on the other hand, involves code running on the server to handle data processing, business logic, and database interactions. Languages like PHP, Python, or Node.js perform tasks such as authenticating users or retrieving search results. This ensures secure and reliable data handling but may increase latency due to server communication. Here’s a simple comparison:

// Client-side validation
function validateInput() {
  const input = document.getElementById('email').value;
  if (!input.includes('@')) alert('Invalid email!');
}

Code Explanation: This JavaScript snippet checks user input on the browser before submission, reducing server load. It’s fast but complements server-side checks for security.

12. Can you explain the role of customer data in driving business decisions for a platform like JustDial?

Customer data is the cornerstone for making informed business decisions on platforms like JustDial. It includes user preferences, search behaviors, and feedback, enabling businesses to tailor services that meet customer demands. By analyzing data, JustDial can identify trending services, optimize search algorithms, and suggest personalized recommendations to users, enhancing their experience and satisfaction.
Additionally, aggregated customer data helps businesses listed on JustDial adjust their offerings. For instance, data showing high search volume for home cleaning services in a specific city allows those businesses to launch promotions or expand coverage. The insights gained are vital for targeted marketing campaigns, improving platform usability, and ensuring competitive growth.

13. What tools would you use to monitor the performance of a web application?

Monitoring web application performance is crucial for platforms like JustDial to ensure smooth functionality. Tools like Google Lighthouse evaluate core web vitals such as page speed and responsiveness, helping identify areas for optimization. Additionally, New Relic and Dynatrace provide real-time performance monitoring, offering insights into application behavior, database queries, and server performance.
For front-end monitoring, BrowserStack tests cross-browser compatibility, while Sentry tracks JavaScript errors and exceptions. A sample use of performance.now() in JavaScript helps measure execution time:

const startTime = performance.now();
// Perform a task
const endTime = performance.now();
console.log(`Execution time: ${endTime - startTime} milliseconds`);

Code Explanation: This snippet captures start and end times for a specific task in the browser, allowing developers to analyze execution duration. It’s useful for identifying bottlenecks and improving application performance.

14. How do you ensure cross-browser compatibility for a website or application?

Ensuring cross-browser compatibility is critical for a platform like JustDial to function seamlessly across various browsers. First, developers should adhere to web standards set by W3C to maintain uniformity. Using modern CSS techniques, such as CSS Grid and Flexbox, ensures layouts behave consistently. Tools like BrowserStack allow developers to test their applications across multiple browsers and devices.
Polyfills and libraries like Babel help bridge gaps between modern JavaScript features and older browsers. For instance, if fetch() isn’t supported in an older browser, a polyfill provides backward compatibility. A sample fallback for unsupported browsers could be:

if (!window.fetch) {
  console.log('Fetch not supported, using XMLHttpRequest instead.');
  // Fallback logic here
}

Code Explanation: This snippet checks if the fetch API is supported by the browser and implements fallback logic when necessary. This approach ensures users with outdated browsers still access essential functionality.

15. What is the importance of user feedback in improving JustDial’s services?

User feedback is invaluable for improving JustDial’s services as it provides direct insights into user experiences and expectations. Feedback identifies pain points like slow loading times, inaccurate listings, or difficult navigation, allowing the platform to address these issues promptly. By acting on suggestions, JustDial can enhance its interface, improve search algorithms, and boost customer satisfaction.
Moreover, reviews and ratings on business listings offer insights to service providers. Positive feedback can boost visibility, while negative feedback highlights areas for improvement. Collecting and analyzing user input through surveys and reviews ensures JustDial remains a trusted and user-friendly platform. This iterative improvement process fosters user trust and loyalty over time.

Advanced JustDial Interview Questions.

16. How would you design a scalable architecture for JustDial’s backend to handle millions of daily searches?

To design a scalable architecture for JustDial’s backend, I would adopt a microservices-based approach. Each service, such as search, user management, and analytics, would operate independently, making the system modular and easier to scale. Leveraging containerization tools like Docker and orchestration platforms like Kubernetes ensures seamless scaling during traffic spikes. A load balancer, such as NGINX or AWS Elastic Load Balancer, would distribute user requests evenly across servers to prevent overload.

For the database layer, using a combination of SQL and NoSQL databases provides flexibility. SQL databases like PostgreSQL handle transactional data, while NoSQL solutions like MongoDB or Elasticsearch manage unstructured and search data efficiently. Caching mechanisms like Redis further reduce the load by storing frequently accessed data in memory. Here’s a conceptual flow:

User Request -> Load Balancer -> Microservices (Search, User, etc.) -> Database (SQL/NoSQL)

This architecture ensures that as search volumes grow, adding resources dynamically supports increased demand without affecting performance.

17. Can you explain the microservices architecture and how it benefits platforms like JustDial?

A microservices architecture breaks down applications into small, independent services, each handling a specific functionality. For JustDial, this might include services for search, listings, user authentication, and payments. Each service operates autonomously, communicates via APIs, and can be developed or scaled independently.

This architecture benefits JustDial by improving scalability, fault isolation, and deployment efficiency. For instance, if the search service experiences high traffic, it can scale without impacting other services. Additionally, teams can work on different services simultaneously using diverse programming languages or tools suited to each function. Using tools like Spring Boot or Express.js, coupled with Docker containers, enhances efficiency and reliability.

18. What steps would you take to improve the ranking algorithm used in JustDial’s search functionality?

To enhance the ranking algorithm for JustDial, I would focus on relevance, user behavior, and business quality metrics. Firstly, user query intent must align with business listings by employing natural language processing (NLP) to analyze search terms. Keywords, synonyms, and semantic analysis ensure results are highly relevant.
Next, incorporating click-through rates (CTR) and user engagement data provides insights into which listings are most useful. For example, if a business frequently receives clicks and positive reviews, it should rank higher. Machine learning models like gradient boosting can optimize the ranking process based on historical search data. Here’s a simplified ranking formula:

ranking_score = (relevance_score * 0.6) + (engagement_score * 0.3) + (business_quality_score * 0.1)

Code Explanation: This Python formula weights relevance, user engagement, and business quality to determine a listing’s overall ranking. The weights can be adjusted based on performance metrics to improve accuracy.

19. How would you use machine learning to provide personalized recommendations to JustDial users?

Machine learning (ML) can play a crucial role in delivering personalized recommendations on JustDial. By analyzing user behavior, search history, and preferences, an ML model can identify patterns to suggest businesses or services tailored to individual needs. For instance, a collaborative filtering algorithm evaluates similarities between users or services to generate recommendations.

Additionally, content-based filtering uses metadata, such as business categories and user reviews, to match user preferences. A hybrid approach combining both ensures robust recommendations. Using frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch, a recommendation model could process user inputs in real-time. Here’s a basic example of content-based filtering:

from sklearn.feature_extraction.text import TfidfVectorizer  
vectorizer = TfidfVectorizer()  
business_features = vectorizer.fit_transform(business_descriptions)  
recommendations = cosine_similarity(user_profile, business_features)

Code Explanation: This Python snippet calculates similarities between user profiles and business descriptions using TF-IDF vectors. The highest scores represent the most relevant recommendations.

20. What strategies would you implement to ensure high availability and fault tolerance for JustDial’s services?

Ensuring high availability and fault tolerance for JustDial involves multiple strategies. First, I’d use load balancing to distribute requests across multiple servers, preventing single points of failure. A geographically distributed infrastructure with content delivery networks (CDNs) ensures that users experience minimal latency.

For fault tolerance, implementing redundancy is key. Database replication across regions ensures data accessibility even during server failures. Tools like AWS RDS or Google Cloud SQL simplify the replication process. Using a circuit breaker pattern ensures that if a service fails, it doesn’t cascade to others. Here’s an example of a circuit breaker pattern in Python:

from pybreaker import CircuitBreaker  
breaker = CircuitBreaker(fail_max=3, reset_timeout=60)  

@breaker
def call_service():
    # Call to external service
    pass

Code Explanation: This code snippet halts requests to a failing service after three consecutive failures and resets it after 60 seconds. This ensures other services continue to function without disruption.

Scenario-Based JustDial Interview Questions

21. Imagine a situation where a large number of users face slow loading times during peak hours. How would you address this issue?

If users face slow loading times during peak hours, my first step would be to identify the bottlenecks using performance monitoring tools like New Relic or Datadog. These tools help pinpoint whether the issue lies in the database, server capacity, or application code. Once identified, I would implement caching mechanisms, such as Redis or Memcached, to reduce the load on the database by storing frequently accessed data in memory.

Additionally, I would scale the backend infrastructure horizontally using a cloud service like AWS or Google Cloud. By adding more servers during peak hours, we can balance the traffic across multiple nodes using a load balancer. Here’s a simplified snippet to scale dynamically:

aws autoscaling set-desired-capacity --auto-scaling-group-name justdial-group --desired-capacity 10

Code Explanation: This command dynamically scales the server capacity to handle increased traffic, ensuring faster response times and better user experience during peak hours.

22. A customer complains about inaccurate search results on JustDial. How would you identify and resolve the problem?

When addressing inaccurate search results, I’d begin by replicating the issue with the customer’s query to understand the root cause. I would analyze the search logs to identify anomalies in the ranking algorithm or data mappings. If the issue stems from outdated or incorrect business data, I’d initiate a data synchronization process using APIs to fetch the latest business information.

If the issue lies in the ranking algorithm, I would review and optimize its scoring parameters. For instance, using feedback loops from user behavior—like clicks and reviews—can help refine results. Additionally, incorporating semantic search ensures that user intent aligns with the returned results. Updating the search algorithm might look like this:

def rank_results(results, user_feedback):
    for result in results:
        result['score'] += user_feedback.get(result['id'], 0)
    return sorted(results, key=lambda x: x['score'], reverse=True)

Code Explanation: This Python snippet adjusts the ranking score based on user feedback, ensuring that the most relevant results appear higher in the search list.

23. Suppose JustDial plans to expand its services to a new region. How would you ensure seamless integration of local businesses into the platform?

To integrate local businesses into JustDial’s platform seamlessly, I would first gather comprehensive business data using partnerships or third-party data providers. The next step involves ensuring the data aligns with JustDial’s schema by employing ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes. Using a pipeline like Apache NiFi or Airflow can automate this process efficiently.

I’d also localize the platform by adapting the user interface to support regional languages and cultural nuances. Integrating geolocation services, such as Google Maps API, ensures users can find businesses relevant to their location. A script for geolocation integration might look like this:

from geopy.geocoders import Nominatim  
geolocator = Nominatim(user_agent="justdial")  
location = geolocator.geocode("Mumbai, India")  
print(location.latitude, location.longitude)

Code Explanation: This script uses the Geopy library to fetch geographic coordinates for a given location, helping users find nearby businesses efficiently.

24. How would you handle a data breach affecting user information on JustDial?

In the event of a data breach, my immediate action would be to contain the breach by isolating affected servers and identifying the attack vector. I would involve a cybersecurity team to perform a thorough investigation and ensure no further unauthorized access occurs. Meanwhile, I’d notify the affected users and regulatory authorities as per compliance standards like GDPR or CCPA.

Post-containment, I’d focus on reinforcing security measures such as implementing end-to-end encryption, regular penetration testing, and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Here’s an example of encrypting user data with Python:

from cryptography.fernet import Fernet  
key = Fernet.generate_key()  
cipher = Fernet(key)  
encrypted_data = cipher.encrypt(b"user_sensitive_info")  
print(encrypted_data)

Code Explanation: This script uses the Fernet library to encrypt user information, ensuring it remains secure even if accessed maliciously.

25. You are tasked with creating a new feature for JustDial. How would you approach its design, development, and rollout?

When tasked with creating a new feature, my first step would be to gather requirements by consulting stakeholders and analyzing user needs. For instance, if the feature is a business review system, I’d research how users interact with reviews and what competitors offer. Using this data, I’d create a feature roadmap detailing milestones like wireframes, backend development, and testing.

In the development phase, I’d use agile methodology, breaking down tasks into sprints for incremental progress. Testing would be integral to the process, covering unit, integration, and user acceptance testing. For rollout, I’d start with a beta version, releasing it to a limited audience for feedback. A basic API for submitting reviews might look like this:

@app.route('/submit_review', methods=['POST'])  
def submit_review():  
    data = request.json  
    db.insert({"business_id": data["business_id"], "review": data["review"], "rating": data["rating"]})  
    return jsonify({"message": "Review submitted successfully"})

Code Explanation: This Flask API allows users to submit reviews for businesses, storing the data securely in a database, forming the foundation of the review system.

Conclusion

Securing a role at JustDial means being part of a team that innovates and scales a platform serving millions daily. To stand out, you must demonstrate expertise in areas like scalable architectures, cutting-edge technologies, and user-centric solutions. Each question you prepare for is an opportunity to showcase not only your technical skills but also your problem-solving mindset and ability to align with JustDial’s vision of delivering seamless services. The more confident and prepared you are, the better you’ll communicate your value to the organization.

Approaching this interview with the right strategy sets you apart as a proactive and insightful professional. By mastering scenario-based questions and technical challenges, you position yourself as a solution-driven candidate capable of addressing real-world complexities. This preparation not only boosts your chances of success but also reinforces your ability to contribute meaningfully to JustDial’s growth. Dive deep, stay confident, and step into your interview ready to leave a lasting impression.

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