Caching and Optimistic UI Explained
Key Concepts
- Caching
- Optimistic UI
- Cache Invalidation
- Stale-While-Revalidate
- Cache Policies
- Optimistic Updates
- Rollback on Failure
- Cache Persistence
- Cache Normalization
- Cache Eviction
- Cache Priming
- Cache Rehydration
- Cache Collisions
- Cache Performance
- Cache Strategies
Caching
Caching is a technique used to store and reuse previously fetched data to reduce the number of network requests and improve application performance. By storing data in a cache, subsequent requests for the same data can be served faster, reducing latency and load on the server.
Optimistic UI
Optimistic UI is a pattern where the user interface updates immediately to reflect the expected result of a user action, even before the server confirms the action. This creates a responsive user experience by reducing perceived latency. If the server response indicates failure, the UI can rollback to its previous state.
Cache Invalidation
Cache invalidation is the process of removing or updating cached data when it becomes outdated or stale. Proper cache invalidation ensures that users receive the most up-to-date information, avoiding discrepancies between the cache and the server.
Stale-While-Revalidate
Stale-While-Revalidate is a cache strategy where the cache serves stale data immediately if available, while simultaneously revalidating the data in the background. This approach provides a balance between speed and data freshness.
Cache Policies
Cache policies define the rules and conditions under which data is cached and when it should be invalidated. Common policies include time-based expiration, usage-based expiration, and context-based expiration.
Optimistic Updates
Optimistic updates involve updating the UI immediately after a user action, assuming the action will succeed. This pattern improves perceived performance by reducing the time users wait for a response.
Rollback on Failure
Rollback on failure is a mechanism where the UI reverts to its previous state if the server indicates that an optimistic update failed. This ensures that the user interface remains consistent and accurate.
Cache Persistence
Cache persistence refers to storing cached data in a persistent storage medium, such as local storage or IndexedDB, to retain data across page reloads or application restarts. This improves performance by reducing the need to refetch data.
Cache Normalization
Cache normalization is a technique used to organize cached data in a structured way, similar to database normalization. This reduces redundancy and ensures that updates to related data are consistent across the cache.
Cache Eviction
Cache eviction is the process of removing data from the cache to free up space for new data. Common eviction policies include Least Recently Used (LRU), Least Frequently Used (LFU), and First In, First Out (FIFO).
Cache Priming
Cache priming involves preloading data into the cache before it is requested by the user. This technique can improve performance by ensuring that frequently accessed data is readily available.
Cache Rehydration
Cache rehydration is the process of restoring cached data when the application starts or a new session begins. This ensures that the application can quickly resume operation with minimal delay.
Cache Collisions
Cache collisions occur when different pieces of data are mapped to the same cache location, leading to conflicts. Proper key management and hashing techniques can help mitigate cache collisions.
Cache Performance
Cache performance refers to the efficiency and effectiveness of the caching mechanism in reducing latency and improving application responsiveness. Factors affecting cache performance include cache size, eviction policies, and data access patterns.
Cache Strategies
Cache strategies are approaches used to manage caching behavior, such as write-through caching, write-back caching, and read-through caching. Each strategy has its own trade-offs in terms of performance, consistency, and complexity.
Analogies
Think of caching as a library where frequently borrowed books are kept on a nearby shelf for quick access. When a user requests a book, the librarian (cache) checks the nearby shelf first before going to the main storage area (server).
Optimistic UI is like a restaurant where the waiter brings your food as soon as you order, assuming the kitchen will fulfill the order. If there's a problem, the waiter takes the food back and apologizes.