Introduction to Caching

Overview

Caching is a common approach to improving computer system and application performance by minimizing the time it takes to retrieve data. A cache is a tiny piece of high-speed memory that saves frequently requested data so that it can be retrieved fast when needed.

Caching can be implemented in many different ways, including using hardware caches built into CPUs or storage devices, software caches in operating systems and applications, or network caches that store frequently accessed web content.

Caching is a crucial factor for the success of any application. It’s the cornerstone of high performance and low latency. With caching in place, an application is able to intercept requests before they reach the database, and respond in a timely manner. This results in faster and more efficient operations. In comparison, an application without caching won’t perform as well because it will have to access the database for each request, leading to slower response times.

Types of caches

There are several types of caches that can be used in different contexts:

Web cache

Web caching is an important technique for improving the performance of web applications and reducing the load on web servers. By storing copies of frequently accessed web pages and resources, web caches can serve those resources directly to users without having to retrieve them from the original source every time. This can significantly reduce the time it takes for a user to load a page or access a resource, which can lead to a better user experience and increased engagement.

Web caches can be implemented in many different ways, including in web browsers, proxy servers, content delivery networks (CDNs), and other network appliances. For example, a CDN may cache copies of web content at multiple locations around the world, allowing users to access the content from a server that’s physically closer to them. This can greatly reduce the latency and network congestion ...