What is Caching? — UK Software Development Guide
Direct Answer
Caching is the practice of storing copies of data in a fast-access storage location (the cache) so future requests for that data can be served faster. Instead of performing expensive database queries or API calls every time, cached data is returned immediately from memory. Common caching tools: Redis (in-memory), Memcached, CDN edge caching, browser caching.
Caching in the UK
Caching has UK GDPR implications. Caches can contain personal data — and must be treated as such. Redis caches storing session data or user profiles must: have appropriate TTL (time to live) aligned with your data retention policy, be invalidated when personal data is deleted (right to erasure must clear cached data as well as primary database records), and be secured against unauthorised access (Redis should never be exposed publicly without authentication). CDN caches must never contain personal data — see CDN entry for UK GDPR data residency implications.
Related Glossary Terms
Cyber Essentials
Cyber Essentials explained for UK software developers and business owners. Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed cybersecurity certification scheme developed by NCSC (National Cyber Security... UK context, examples, and related services.
DEVOPS
DevOps explained for UK software developers and business owners. DevOps is a set of practices, principles, and culture that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) t... UK context, examples, and related services.
Microservices
Microservices explained for UK software developers and business owners. Microservices architecture is a software design approach where an application is built as a collection of small, indepen... UK context, examples, and related services.
Kubernetes
Kubernetes explained for UK software developers. Kubernetes (commonly abbreviated as K8s) is an open-source container orchestration platform that automates the deploymen... UK context and related services.
Docker
Docker explained for UK software developers. Docker is a platform that packages software and its dependencies into standardised units called containers. A Docker con...
Terraform
Terraform explained for UK software developers. Terraform is an open-source Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tool by HashiCorp that allows you to define, provision, and man...
Get Expert Advice on Caching
Speak with our UK software development experts about Caching. Free consultation, transparent pricing, no obligation.