Explain Types of Cache & Their Characteristics

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Types of Cache and Their Characteristics
Cache Type
Where Used
Key Characteristics
1. CPU Cache
Inside the processor (L1, L2, L3)
- Extremely fast- Very small size- Stores frequently accessed instructions/data
2. Memory Cache
RAM-based caching in applications
- Faster than disk- Stores app data (e.g., user sessions)- Volatile
3. Disk Cache
Operating systems, databases
- Slower than RAM- Larger size- Persists across restarts
4. Web Browser Cache
Local browser storage
- Stores CSS, JS, images- Reduces page load time- Can expire or be cleared
5. CDN Cache
Content Delivery Networks (edge servers)
- Geographically distributed- Reduces latency- Caches static resources
6. Database Cache
App layer or built-in (e.g., Redis, Memcached)
- Reduces DB load- Stores query results or objects- Configurable expiration
7. Application/Server Cache
Web apps, APIs (e.g., ASP.NET, Node.js)
- Speeds up data access- Often in-memory- Can be per-user or global
8. File System Cache
OS-level or app-level file reads
- Caches file contents- Speeds up repeated file access
9. DNS Cache
Browsers and OS networking layers
- Stores resolved IPs- Reduces DNS lookup time
General Characteristics of Caching
Characteristic
Description
Speed
Access time is much faster than the original source (DB, disk, etc.)
Volatile
Many caches (RAM-based) are temporary and cleared on restart
Size-Limited
Cache storage is limited, managed by eviction policies (e.g., LRU, FIFO)
Staleness
Cached data can become outdated; needs invalidation or expiration logic
Eviction Policy
Strategy to remove old or least-used items (e.g., LRU = Least Recently Used)
Write Policy
Write-through / write-back determines how updates sync with the original source
Transparency
Often invisible to users; operates behind the scenes
Real-World Analogy
Think of cache as a frequently used tool placed on your desk — instead of going to a toolbox every time, you keep it within reach for speed.

Characteristic	Description
Speed	Access time is much faster than the original source (DB, disk, etc.)
Volatile	Many caches (RAM-based) are temporary and cleared on restart
Size-Limited	Cache storage is limited, managed by eviction policies (e.g., LRU, FIFO)
Staleness	Cached data can become outdated; needs invalidation or expiration logic
Eviction Policy	Strategy to remove old or least-used items (e.g., LRU = Least Recently Used)
Write Policy	Write-through / write-back determines how updates sync with the original source
Transparency	Often invisible to users; operates behind the scenes

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Explain Types of Cache & Their Characteristics

Anubhav Kumar

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Types of Cache & Their Characteristics

General Characteristics of Caching

Real-World Analogy

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Cache Type	Where Used	Key Characteristics
1. CPU Cache	Inside the processor (L1, L2, L3)	- Extremely fast- Very small size- Stores frequently accessed instructions/data
2. Memory Cache	RAM-based caching in applications	- Faster than disk- Stores app data (e.g., user sessions)- Volatile
3. Disk Cache	Operating systems, databases	- Slower than RAM- Larger size- Persists across restarts
4. Web Browser Cache	Local browser storage	- Stores CSS, JS, images- Reduces page load time- Can expire or be cleared
5. CDN Cache	Content Delivery Networks (edge servers)	- Geographically distributed- Reduces latency- Caches static resources
6. Database Cache	App layer or built-in (e.g., Redis, Memcached)	- Reduces DB load- Stores query results or objects- Configurable expiration
7. Application/Server Cache	Web apps, APIs (e.g., ASP.NET, Node.js)	- Speeds up data access- Often in-memory- Can be per-user or global
8. File System Cache	OS-level or app-level file reads	- Caches file contents- Speeds up repeated file access
9. DNS Cache	Browsers and OS networking layers	- Stores resolved IPs- Reduces DNS lookup time