What is an LRU Cache and how does it improve performance?

What is an LRU Cache and how does it improve performance?

An LRU (Least Recently Used) Cache is a data structure that stores a limited number of items and evicts the least recently used item when it reaches its capacity. This helps improve performance by keeping frequently accessed data in memory, reducing the need for slower disk access.

Can you explain how the eviction policy works in an LRU Cache?

Sure! The eviction policy in an LRU Cache removes the least recently accessed item when the cache reaches its limit. It keeps track of the order of access, so when a new item is added, it can easily identify which item to remove.

What are some common use cases for LRU Caches?

Common use cases include web caching, database query results caching, and in-memory data storage for applications where speed is critical.

How does an LRU Cache compare to other caching strategies?

Compared to other strategies like FIFO (First In, First Out) or LFU (Least Frequently Used), LRU is often more efficient for workloads with temporal locality, as it prioritizes keeping recently accessed items.