Cut the caching clutter: understanding cache types

Caches are essential tools for reducing latency in applications, enhancing user experience, and alleviating server load, but they are not universally applicable and come in different forms suitable for varying needs. The three primary types of caches discussed are central caches, local caches, and edge caches, each positioned differently on the centralization spectrum. Central caches, like Momento, reside near application servers and primary databases, offering fast performance but requiring careful management to avoid data staleness and operational burdens. Local caches store data near the client, such as in the browser or on application servers, eliminating network requests entirely but struggling with cache invalidation when data changes. Edge caches, used by CDNs, bridge the gap by geographically distributing data closer to users, balancing latency reduction with ease of invalidation. The post emphasizes the importance of selecting the right cache type to match specific application requirements and offers insights into the trade-offs associated with each option.