Cache-Aside Versus Write-Through Cache
TradeoffMidSeniorUpdated
Read-heavy workload where staleness for a few seconds is tolerable.
Short answer: Cache-aside. Cache-aside is simpler, the cache only stores what's actually read, and the app stays the source of truth.
The Two Options
A
Cache-aside
B
Write-through cache
Drill This: Your Pick First
The Better Pick
Option A
Cache-aside
Cache-aside is simpler, the cache only stores what's actually read, and the app stays the source of truth. Time-to-live (TTL) handles staleness.
When the Other One Wins
Write-through cache
If reads must always be consistent with the latest write and write volume is moderate, write-through avoids the cache-miss latency spike after updates.