Memory is a central element of all information systems. While some types of memory are for short-term tasks, others store and store data for a long time, but absolutely all are essential to the operation of the software and hardware.
One of these types of temporary memory is cache. Although the term "memory" is usually associated with storing information, there are memory components that work beyond this mission and do more. Encoding and recovery of data, for example, are two of the many characteristics and purposes cache has.
What is a cache?
Caching, as is known in the computer world, allows applications such as browsers, games and streaming services to store temporary files considered relevant to quickly browse upload times and general experience. YouTube, Spotify, Google News and a lot of other applications save information as cached data. This can be video clip art, search history, or excerpts of videos that are temporarily stored to minimize the redundancy of having to ask the user to enter or retrieve information from the Internet frequently.
The cache can save a lot of time because the quality and speed of the Internet are not the same everywhere. But ironically, when apps download a lot of data to your phone, that eventually slows down, especially when there's a minimum amount of storage.
When do you need to clear the cache?
Deleting the cache is always intended to be a temporary solution because each application you use will start populating the file storage after you delete it. Despite its benefits, cleaning it too often can become an unnecessary activity, as it overcomes the aim of improving the loading time. Thus, it is recommended that you only delete the cache when it is critical, instead of doing it in your daily routine.
Cache types
Cache memory is defined as fast while expensive. In general, it is classified into levels describing its proximity and accessibility to the microprocessor. Thus, there are three general levels of cache:
- L1 Cache or primary Cache – is extremely fast but relatively small if storage is a problem. This is usually built into the processor chip and can be recognized as the processor cache.
- L2 cache or secondary cache — can also be incorporated or be a chip or separate co-processor. In this case, it will have an alternative high-speed system bus that connects the cache and the processor. In this way, you will ensure that the traffic on the main bus of the system will not be slowed down due to the connection being made.
- L3 Cache – is a dedicated memory for developing and improving L1 and L2 performance. These two can be significantly faster than L3, although it is usually equipped with double DRAM speed.
Cache memory, called the "CPU memory", is a static memory that is essential to any device, whatever its nature. Its use is felt by the computer because the CPU can access the information it needs much faster and thus works in the right rules.
The cache is important because it improves the efficiency of data recovery. It stores instructions and program data that are frequently used, and that way, the information the processor needs is at hand. The computer's processor can access this information more quickly from the cache than from the main memory.
