What Is Caching?
Caching is a technique used to temporarily store frequently accessed data in a fast, easily accessible location, so it can be delivered quickly the next time it’s needed. In the context of web and API performance, caching helps reduce the time it takes to load information, lowers the number of requests sent to the server, and improves the overall experience for your users.
For example:
Instead of retrieving the same accommodation details or attraction information from the API every time a user visits your site, you can store (or “cache”) that information for a set period. When another user requests the same data, your system can serve it instantly from the cache, rather than waiting for a new response from the API.
Why Is Caching Important?
Performance: Cached data is delivered faster to users, reducing wait times.
Efficiency: Fewer API calls mean less load on both your systems and our servers.
Sustainability: Efficient caching supports a more sustainable and reliable API ecosystem for all distributors.
Best Practices for Caching
Follow these guidelines to get the most out of caching with our API:
Cache Static or Infrequently Changing Data
Focus on caching data that doesn’t change often, such as general accommodation details or attraction information.
Set appropriate expiration times based on how often you expect the data to change - for example, cache general attraction details for 24 hours, but refresh event data more frequently.
Use Conditional Requests
When fetching data, use HTTP conditional requests (like ETags or Last-Modified headers).
This allows you to check if cached data is still current and only fetch new data if it has changed, saving bandwidth and speeding up your application.
Implement a Cache Invalidation Strategy
Develop a plan for when cached data should be updated or removed. For example, invalidate the cache when a new version of a profile or event is published.
Automate cache invalidation where possible by checking for updates using the API’s Last-Modified header or at regular intervals.
Optimise Cache Storage
Store cached data so it’s easily accessible and efficient to retrieve. Consider in-memory caching for fast access, or distributed caching if your platform runs across multiple servers.
Use selective caching - store only the data that benefits most from being cached, such as high-traffic or frequently accessed content.
Monitor and Adjust Cache Settings
Regularly monitor how your caching is performing. Look at load times, API call volume, and cache hit rates.
Adjust cache durations as needed to balance freshness with performance - longer for static data, shorter for frequently updated content.
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