Cache naming conventions with the JavaScript Cache API

23 Oct 2023

Caching is an essential technique for improving web application performance by storing frequently accessed resources locally on the client’s device. The JavaScript Cache API provides a way to programmatically manage this cache storage.

When working with the Cache API, it’s important to follow some naming conventions to ensure proper organization and management of the cached resources. In this article, we will explore some best practices for naming caches with the JavaScript Cache API.

Introduction to Cache API
Naming Conventions
- Versioning
- Naming Strategies
Example
Conclusion

Introduction to Cache API

The Cache API provides methods to interact with the cache storage of the client’s browser. It allows developers to store and retrieve responses to network requests, making subsequent visits to the website faster by serving these cached responses instead of making new network requests.

Naming Conventions

Using appropriate names for caches is crucial for distinguishing different versions of cached resources and managing cache invalidation effectively. Here are some naming conventions to consider:

Versioning

In web development, it’s common for resources like CSS files, JavaScript files, and images to be updated periodically. To handle these updates, it’s recommended to include a version number in the cache name.

A simple approach is to use the version number as part of the cache name, like my-cache-v1, my-cache-v2, and so on. Updating the version number each time the resources change ensures that the new version will be cached and used by the application.

Naming Strategies

Besides using versioning, it’s also useful to adopt a consistent and descriptive naming strategy for your cache names. This can help with managing different types of resources or assets in the cache.

Here are some naming strategies you might consider:

By Resource Type: You can prefix the cache name with the type of resource it stores, such as css-cache, image-cache, or api-cache. This helps to organize caches based on the specific resource they contain.
By Functionality: If your application has distinct features or functionalities, you can prefix the cache names accordingly. For example, homepage-cache, search-results-cache, or user-data-cache.

Choose a naming strategy that aligns with the structure and needs of your application. Consistency is key to maintain clarity and ease of management.

Example

Let’s see an example of using naming conventions in practice:

const CACHE_NAME = 'my-cache-v1';
const expectedCaches = [CACHE_NAME];

self.addEventListener('install', (event) => {
  event.waitUntil(
    caches.open(CACHE_NAME)
      .then((cache) => {
        console.log('Cache opened');
        return cache.addAll([
          '/path/to/resource1',
          '/path/to/resource2',
          // Add more resources to be cached
        ]);
      })
  );
});

self.addEventListener('activate', (event) => {
  event.waitUntil(
    caches.keys().then((cacheNames) => {
      return Promise.all(
        cacheNames.map((cacheName) => {
          if (!expectedCaches.includes(cacheName)) {
            console.log('Deleting invalid cache:', cacheName);
            return caches.delete(cacheName);
          }
        })
      );
    })
  );
});

In the example above, we define a cache name my-cache-v1 and use it when opening the cache in the install event. During activation, we check for any invalid caches based on the expected cache name and delete them if necessary.

Conclusion

Proper naming conventions are essential for managing cached resources effectively in web applications. By following a consistent naming strategy and incorporating versioning into cache names, you can ensure smooth cache updates and improve overall performance.

Remember to use descriptive and meaningful names that align with the purpose and structure of your application. Applying naming conventions will help you organize and maintain cache storage efficiently.

#References

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