What are the differences between various cache algorithms?

What are the differences between various cache algorithms?

There are several cache algorithms like LRU, FIFO, and LFU. LRU (Least Recently Used) evicts the least recently accessed items, FIFO (First In First Out) removes the oldest items, and LFU (Least Frequently Used) removes items that are used least often. Would you like to know more about a specific algorithm?

Can you explain how LRU works in detail?

Sure! LRU keeps track of the order in which items are accessed. When a new item is added and the cache is full, it removes the item that hasn't been used for the longest time. This is often implemented using a linked list or a hash map for efficient access.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using LRU?

The main advantage of LRU is that it generally provides good performance for workloads with temporal locality. However, it can be more complex to implement and may require more memory for tracking access order compared to simpler algorithms like FIFO.

Are there any scenarios where FIFO might be better than LRU?

Yes, FIFO can be more efficient in scenarios where the access pattern is more predictable and doesn't require tracking the order of usage, making it simpler and faster to implement.