Caching the API response to improve the latency and site performance

Introduction: Caching the API response is a powerful technique to enhance the performance and reduce latency in web applications. By storing frequently accessed API responses, we can serve them quickly to clients, resulting in an improved user experience. In this blog, we will explore the different types of caching and delve into the implementation of server-side caching.

Types of Caching:

• Client-side caching
• Server-side caching

Client-side caching:

Client-side caching involves storing data on the client machine. There are several methods to achieve client-side caching, including local storage, session storage, and browser cache.

Local Storage:

Local storage allows us to store and retrieve data using the JavaScript inbuilt property localStorage. Data stored in local storage remains persistent until the user clears their browser cache.

Session Storage:

Similar to local storage, session storage enables us to cache data on the client side. The key difference is that data stored in session storage is available only until the browser tab is active. Closing or changing the tab will clear the session storage data.

Browser Cache:

Modern browsers come equipped with a built-in cache that can store and serve cached responses. The browser cache retains data until the user manually clears it.

Server-side caching:

Server-side caching involves storing data on a common server that can serve multiple clients. This type of caching is beneficial when dealing with large-scale applications that make frequent requests to external APIs. It helps overcome limitations such as long response times or restrictions on request frequency.

In this blog, we will focus on server-side caching using Node.js and AWS ElasticCache, which is powered by Redis.

Server-side Caching Implementation:

To implement server-side caching, follow these steps:

• Set up a basic RESTful API using Node.js and the Express.js framework.
• Structure your application with separate files for app configuration (app.js), route definitions (routes.js), and cache handling (cache.js).
• Utilize Redis, a popular in-memory data store, for caching the API responses.
• Establish a connection to Redis and configure the cache settings.
• Implement a caching mechanism in the route controller (cacheController) that checks if the requested data is available in the cache. If found, return the cached data. If not, fetch the data from the API, store it in the cache, and return it to the client.

Optionally, set up an interval to periodically update the cached data to ensure freshness.

Advantages of Server-side Caching:

• Reduced latency:By serving cached responses, server-side caching eliminates the need for frequent API requests, significantly reducing response times.
• Improved scalability:Caching helps handle high traffic loads and prevents overloading the API server by serving responses from the cache.
• Cost optimization:Caching can save costs by reducing the number of requests made to third-party APIs, especially when they have usage limitations or charge per request.
• Enhanced user experience:Faster response times and improved performance lead to a smoother browsing experience for users, increasing engagement and satisfaction.

Real time example:

Problem:

Imagine a travel agency website that offers flight and hotel booking services. This website deals with a vast amount of data, including flight schedules, hotel availability, and pricing information. Without caching, every time a user searches for a flight or a hotel room, the website would need to fetch this data from the server, leading to slower response times and potentially a poor user experience.

Cache solution:

By implementing caching mechanisms, the frequently accessed data, such as flight details, hotel availability, and static website elements, can be stored in a cache. When a user makes a search, the website first checks the cache for the relevant information. If the data is found in the cache, it is served directly to the user, eliminating the need to fetch it from the server. This significantly reduces the response time and enhances the user experience.

Moreover, caching helps in handling sudden spikes in website traffic. For instance, during holiday seasons or special promotions, travel agency websites experience a surge in visitors. Caching allows the website to handle increased loads efficiently by serving cached content to users, ensuring the website remains responsive and accessible even during high traffic periods.

Additionally, caching can be applied to various elements of the website, such as images, stylesheets, and scripts. By storing these assets in a cache, the website loads faster for users, enhancing their overall satisfaction and encouraging them to engage more with the platform.

In summary, caching in a travel agency website improves user experience, reduces server load, handles traffic spikes, and ultimately contributes to the website's reliability and performance, making it a crucial tool for such businesses.

Conclusion:

Caching the API response is an effective strategy to enhance the performance and reduce latency in web applications. By implementing server-side caching, we can significantly improve response times, scalability, and user experience. Whether it's client-side caching or server-side caching, understanding and implementing caching techniques can be a game-changer for optimizing website performance and delivering seamless user experiences.