What are the best practices for caching in mobile apps?

What are the best practices for caching in mobile apps?

Caching in mobile apps helps improve performance and reduce data usage. Key practices include using memory caching, disk caching, and implementing cache expiration policies.

Can you explain the difference between memory caching and disk caching?

Memory caching stores data in RAM for quick access, while disk caching saves data on the device's storage. Memory caching is faster but limited by available RAM, whereas disk caching is slower but can hold larger amounts of data.

How do I implement cache expiration policies?

You can implement cache expiration by setting a time-to-live (TTL) for cached items, after which they are considered stale and removed or refreshed.

What tools can I use for caching in mobile apps?

Popular tools include libraries like Retrofit for Android, Alamofire for iOS, and caching mechanisms provided by frameworks like Flutter.

Are there any common pitfalls to avoid when caching?

Yes, common pitfalls include over-caching, which can lead to stale data, and under-caching, which can result in poor performance. Always balance cache size and expiration.