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What is caching?

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Quick answer

Caching is storing copies of data somewhere fast so it can be served quickly next time, instead of fetching or computing it again. Browsers, apps, and servers all use caches to make things load faster and reduce repeated work. It stores data in a fast-access location for reuse.

Key things to understand

  1. It stores data in a fast-access location for reuse.
  2. It avoids repeating slow fetches or calculations.
  3. Browsers cache web pages and images to load faster.
  4. Stale caches can show outdated data until refreshed.

People also ask

What is caching?
Temporarily storing copies of data in a fast location so it can be served quickly on later requests.
Why does caching speed things up?
It avoids re-fetching or recomputing data, serving a ready-made copy instead.
Why do I sometimes need to 'clear my cache'?
A cache can hold outdated files; clearing it forces fresh versions to load.

Part of the guide: How the Internet Works →