What are cache keys in Python and how do I use them?

What are cache keys in Python and how do I use them?

Cache keys are unique identifiers used to store and retrieve cached data in Python. They help optimize performance by avoiding repeated calculations.

Can you give me an example of how to implement cache keys?

Sure! You can use the functools.lru_cache decorator to cache function results. Here's a simple example:

from functools import lru_cache

@lru_cache(maxsize=None)
def expensive_function(x):
    # Simulate a costly computation
    return x * x

result = expensive_function(4)  # This result will be cached

What happens if I change the function's parameters?

If you change the parameters, a new cache key will be generated for the new input, and the result will be computed and stored separately.

Are there any limitations to using cache keys?

Yes, cache keys can consume memory, and if not managed properly, they can lead to increased memory usage. It's important to set a reasonable maxsize.