Web Cache (noun):
A web cache is the temporary storage of web documents, such as HTML pages and images, to reduce server lag time and network traffic. Caching can be done at different levels, including the browser level, the web server level, and the content delivery network (CDN) level.
At the browser level, web caches store documents that are recently visited by the user. When a user visits a page, the browser looks to its own cache to see if the page is stored locally. When it is, the browser retrieves the contents from its local storage instead of the server which saves time and data usage.
At the web server level, web caches are created from cache-control policies. These policies help determine which documents should be cached and how long they should remain cached. When a web server receives a request, it looks to its own cache for the full response. If found, it is sent to the user, reducing server load and improving the page loading time.
At the CDN level, web caches are more sophisticated and act as proxies for the content provider. In this way, content providers can save server resources by pushing content to the edge of the network, which reduces the distance between the user and the content.
Web caches are an essential part of the internet, allowing for faster loading speeds and lower data usage. They also allow for more efficient use of server resources, reducing server load and improving scalability.
