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By, Michael May Most of us have some form of cache anxiety. We’re good at caching static content like images and scripts, but taking the next step - caching dynamic and user-specific content - is confusing and often requires a leap of faith. In this talk you’ll learn new and old strategies for caching dynamic content, HTTP performance rules to live by, and a better understanding of how to accelerate any application. This is just what the doctor ordered: a prescription for cache money.
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In Michael May's talk, "The power of cache in a slow world," presented at RailsConf 2015, he delves into the complexities and strategies surrounding caching dynamic content to enhance web application performance. The discussion functions as a valuable resource for Rails developers grappling with issues related to caching, as it elucidates various concepts critical to achieving optimal HTTP performance. **Key Points:** - **Understanding the Internet's Foundations:** May begins with an overview of essential internet concepts, including TCP, DNS, and the role of autonomous systems and their identifiers (ASNs) in internet routing. He explains the significance of BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) in optimizing data paths and reducing latency through peering agreements between autonomous systems. - **Performance Bottlenecks:** The talk identifies TCP's three-way handshake as a contributor to latency, particularly when establishing new connections for each data request. The importance of TCP window size in managing data flow is also discussed. - **DNS Caching Strategies:** May underscores the relevance of DNS and its Time to Live (TTL) settings in dictating how long IP addresses can be cached, influencing traffic direction based on proximity. - **Caching Techniques:** A significant portion of the talk focuses on HTTP caching strategies, especially directives like `Cache-Control`, `s-maxage`, `stale-while-revalidate`, and the implications of the `Vary` header on cache efficiency. He emphasizes the necessity of avoiding unnecessary cookie headers in cache responses, setting the stage for enhanced caching with Varnish. - **Introducing Varnish Cache:** Varnish serves as a reverse proxy cache, enabling effective request caching and reducing round-trip times. May highlights the utility of Varnish Configuration Language (VCL) for managing caching logic and optimizing performance. - **Dynamic Content Caching:** The speaker discusses particular strategies suitable for caching dynamic content like JSON APIs. Techniques such as using short TTLs, Edge Side Includes (ESI), and asynchronous API requests are presented as ways to improve caching efficiency and overall app performance. - **Synthetic Responses:** These are introduced as an advanced technique that can enhance user experience by providing immediate feedback while asynchronously updating the origin server in the background. May describes scenarios where synthetic responses can be beneficial, provided consistency can be managed. - **Final Insights:** The importance of careful cache key management for efficient invalidation and adaptive caching strategies is reinforced. Attendees are encouraged to contemplate the adaptation of VCL to handle middleware processes at the edge, ensuring a successful balance between performance and user experience. In conclusion, this talk is an insightful exploration of caching strategies that are crucial for any developer seeking to improve application latency and functionality in a world where speed is paramount. Michael May effectively communicates these complex concepts clearly, leaving the audience equipped with actionable strategies for their caching dilemmas.
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