Cache, pronounced /CASH/, is the description of a computer storing data temporarily. It requires more memory, but it’s faster.
- Storing data in a cache allows a computer/website to run faster
- The cache can let applications that require an internet connection run without the internet.
- Resource efficiency
Cache on websites
Browsers have their own cache that stores information from the previous browsing for future sessions.
To see a previously accessed website, the browser gets most files from the cache rather than having them resent from the web server. This is called read cache.
Drawbacks
- Outdated information: The cache can store outdated information. That’s why Caches need to be updated or purged. Likewise, the data can be corrupted.
- Performance:
Cache is used for
Web browsers
- To load websites faster. Getting data from the cache of the browser rather than from the server of the website.
CDN (Content Delivery Networks)
- Data is cached on the server side which delivers the data to the website client faster.
DNS (Domain name system)
- Data about domain names is stored and converted to Internet Protocol Addresses
Databases
- Cache can be used to reduce latency in database query
Operating system
- Storing instructions and files