What is data consistency in caching and why is it important?

What is data consistency in caching and why is it important?

Data consistency in caching refers to ensuring that the data in the cache matches the data in the underlying data source. It's important because inconsistent data can lead to incorrect application behavior and poor user experience.

How can I achieve data consistency in my caching strategy?

You can achieve data consistency by using strategies like cache invalidation, write-through caching, or implementing a time-to-live (TTL) for cache entries.

What are the trade-offs of different caching strategies?

Different caching strategies can impact performance, complexity, and data freshness. For example, write-through caching ensures consistency but may slow down write operations.

Can you give an example of a situation where data inconsistency caused issues?

Sure! A common example is an e-commerce site where a product's stock level is cached. If the cache isn't updated after a sale, customers may see items as available when they're actually sold out.