What is cache?
Cache, as a generic term, refers to some sort of hiding place for an item or collection of items. In computing, however, the term cache refers to a software or hardware component whose main purpose is the temporary storage of data to make its retrieval faster the next time it is accessed.
If you want to learn more about this topic, check out the FAQ section below:
Question #1: How does a cache work?
A cache works by temporarily storing data generated by a previous request so it can be returned significantly faster the next time a similar request is made. This request can be anything from simple data retrieval all the way to complex computations.
Your computer’s CPU, for instance, is specifically designed to store frequently accessed data in its cache so you do not have to wait for it to load everything up from scratch every time.
The same goes for the browser you use. Instead of loading every single image, style sheet, cookie, and element of a web page that you have previously visited. The goal is to make the page load significantly faster the next time you access it.
Question #2: What are the benefits of storing data in the cache?
The biggest benefit of storing data in the cache is the increased loading speeds. It does not matter if it is a local operation on your computer or an online request sent to a server via a website, data stored in the cache simply makes everything load faster—especially if the request entails complex computations.
But that is not all storing data in the cache does. The fact that it stores data locally, albeit temporarily, it can allow you to work offline, which can be an extremely handy thing to be able to do in certain situations.
Finally, storing data in the cache can also help save battery and other resources in your computer or mobile device. Instead of having to download everything that is needed every time you want to do something, your device can just load a big percentage of it from its own local storage.
Question #3: What is an example of a cache?
As we have seen earlier, an example of a cache would be the one in your web browser, which is specifically designed to locally store as much information about the web pages you visit as possible so the load significantly faster the next time you visit them.
Another example we have also talked about earlier is the one found in your CPU. Instead of website data, however, it stores frequently used data to speed up the processing of requests associated with the tasks you most frequently perform on a day to day basis.
Finally, the apps you use on your smart devices also have their own caches, which, just like web browsers, also store data—such as videos, images, thumbnails, and preferences—it might need to fulfill your requests faster.
Question #4: What are the downsides to using a cache?
There are three downsides to using a cache:
First, it takes up a lot of space in your local storage. This is one of the reasons devices tend to not only run more slowly over time, but also run out of space even if you do not have a lot of massive files.
Second, if a cache has corrupted files or data, the device, website, or app using it may end up malfunctioning. This is exactly why clearing the cache is one of the first troubleshooting steps people suggest you try whenever you encounter issues with a web page you are trying to access.
Finally, in some cases, the files and data in the cache keeps websites and apps from loading their latest version. To fix this, you will need to clear your cache to force the website or app you are trying to access to download the latest files and data from its server.
Question #5: What exactly does clearing the cache mean?
Clearing the cache means just that: deleting all the files and data temporarily stored in the cache. You do this to fix issues, force websites and apps to display their latest versions, free up storage on your device, or any combination of the three.