How can you cache web applications to reduce server load?

1 Browser caching

Browser caching is the simplest and most common form of caching for web applications. It involves storing web assets, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, and fonts, in the browser's local storage or cache. This way, the browser can load these assets from the cache instead of requesting them from the server every time the user visits the same page or site. Browser caching can significantly reduce server load, network latency, and bandwidth consumption. To enable browser caching, you need to set the appropriate HTTP headers, such as Cache-Control, Expires, and ETag, in your web server configuration or in your web application code.

3 CDN caching

CDN caching is a form of caching for web applications that involves using a network of distributed servers that deliver web assets to clients based on their geographic location. A CDN can cache web assets and serve them from the nearest server to the client, reducing the distance and time that the data travels. CDN caching can also enhance availability, reliability, and scalability for web applications. To use CDN caching, you need to sign up for a CDN service, such as Cloudflare, AWS CloudFront, or Google Cloud CDN, and integrate it with your web application.

4 Application caching

Application caching is a form of caching for web applications that involves storing data or logic in the application layer, such as the web framework, the database, or the memory. Application caching can speed up the processing and rendering of dynamic and complex web pages, such as those that involve user authentication, personalization, or transactions. Application caching can also reduce the load on the database and the server. To use application caching, you need to use a caching library or framework, such as Memcached, Redis, or Django Cache Framework, and implement the caching logic in your web application code.

6 Cache invalidation

Cache invalidation is the process of updating or removing cached data when it becomes stale, outdated, or incorrect. Cache invalidation is essential for maintaining the consistency and accuracy of web applications. However, cache invalidation can also be challenging and costly, as it requires tracking and notifying the changes in the data sources and the cache locations. To implement cache invalidation, you need to use a cache invalidation strategy, such as time-based, event-based, or version-based, and use the appropriate tools and methods, such as HTTP headers, cache busting, or webhooks.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?