What are cache eviction policies and how do they work?

What are cache eviction policies and how do they work?

Cache eviction policies are strategies used to determine which items to remove from a cache when it becomes full. They help optimize performance by ensuring that the most relevant data remains accessible.

Can you explain some common cache eviction policies?

Sure! Some common cache eviction policies include Least Recently Used (LRU), First In First Out (FIFO), and Least Frequently Used (LFU). Each has its own advantages depending on the use case.

What is the difference between LRU and LFU?

LRU evicts the least recently accessed items, while LFU removes the least frequently accessed items. LRU focuses on recency, whereas LFU focuses on access frequency.

When should I use FIFO over LRU?

FIFO is simpler and can be more efficient in scenarios where the order of access is predictable. It's often used in streaming applications where older data is less likely to be needed.