Summary

In this chapter, we built a distributed cache from scratch. We started with a simple in-memory cache and gradually added features such as thread safety, HTTP interface, eviction policies (LRU and TTL), replication, and consistent hashing for sharding. Each step was a building block that contributed to the robustness, scalability, and performance of our cache.

While our cache is functional, it’s just the beginning. There are countless avenues for further exploration and optimization. The world of distributed caching is vast and ever-evolving, and this chapter has equipped you with the essential knowledge and practical skills to navigate it confidently. Remember, building a distributed cache is not just about the code; it’s about understanding the underlying principles, making informed design decisions, and continuously iterating to meet the evolving demands of your applications.

Now that we’ve navigated the treacherous waters of design decisions and...