Caching

Accelerating Web Performance #

Introduction #

Caching is a technique used in computing to store data for future use. It helps increase the speed of data retrieval, reduce latency, and improve system performance.

How Caching Works #

Caching works on the principle of storing a copy of the data in a cache (a temporary storage area). When a user requests data, the system first checks the cache. If the data is found, it is a ‘cache hit’. If not, it is a ‘cache miss’, and the data is fetched from the original source and stored in the cache for future use.

Types of Caching #

There are several types of caching, including:

  1. Memory Cache: This is the fastest type of cache and is stored directly on the CPU. It’s typically smaller due to cost and speed considerations.

  2. Disk Cache: This is stored on the disk drive and is slower but larger.

  3. Database Caching: Frequently accessed database queries are stored to speed up data retrieval.

  4. Web Caching: Web pages are stored to reduce server load, bandwidth usage, and perceived lag.

Benefits of Caching #

Caching offers several benefits:

  • Improved Performance: Caching can significantly speed up data access and improve application performance.

  • Reduced Network Costs: By serving cached data, we can reduce the load on the network.

  • Scalability: Caching helps applications scale to serve a larger number of requests.

Learning Resources #

Here are some suggestions for learning caching, which will help you become more proficient in optimizing web and application performance:

Books #