What is LRU caching and how does it work in distributed systems?

What is LRU caching and how does it work in distributed systems?

LRU stands for Least Recently Used. It's a caching algorithm that evicts the least recently accessed items first. In distributed systems, LRU caching helps manage memory efficiently across multiple nodes by ensuring that frequently accessed data remains available.

Can you explain how LRU caching improves performance?

Certainly! LRU caching improves performance by reducing the time it takes to access frequently used data. By keeping the most recently accessed items in memory, it minimizes the need to fetch data from slower storage, thus speeding up response times.

What are some challenges of implementing LRU caching in a distributed environment?

Some challenges include maintaining consistency across nodes, handling cache misses effectively, and ensuring that the eviction policy is synchronized to avoid data loss.

Are there any alternatives to LRU caching?

Yes, alternatives include FIFO (First In, First Out), LFU (Least Frequently Used), and ARC (Adaptive Replacement Cache), each with its own advantages depending on the use case.