Caching serves to enhance performance by storing frequently accessed data in a readily accessible location, thus reducing the need to repeatedly compute or retrieve this data from a more time-consuming source, like a database. To optimize the effectiveness of caching in an application, it is often beneficial to establish clear policies for cache invalidation and expiration, thereby ensuring that the cache reflects the most current data without holding onto stale information.

Server-side caching involves the temporary storage of data on the server to accelerate data retrieval and reduce latency. By caching content, the server can quickly serve repeated requests for the same data without needing to recompute or query the database, thus enhancing the application's performance and scalability.

Implementing server-side caching is important for optimizing resource usage and improving user experience. Techniques like setting appropriate cache lifetimes and employing invalidation strategies ensure that the cache remains efficient and that users receive up-to-date information. 

The initial step involves setting up caching within the Nest.js project. This process includes configuring the appropriate caching strategies and integrating them with the existing infrastructure of the application.

npm install @apollo/server-plugin-response-cache

 is a package that provides a plugin for caching GraphQL responses in Apollo Server. It is designed to work with Apollo Server. The plugin helps optimize the performance of GraphQL queries by caching the responses and serving them from the cache instead of executing the same query repeatedly.

To implement caching in Nest.js, it's necessary to register caching plugins, which are configured to manage the storage and retrieval of data from the cache. Nest.js provides a flexible way to integrate various caching strategies through custom or pre-built plugins. This allows people to avoid direct cache manipulation. 

One thing to make sure is that the caching logic is both efficient and appropriately invalidated, understanding that stale data can lead to inconsistencies. Additional considerations include determining the optimal time-to-live (TTL) values and choosing a caching strategy that aligns with the application's access patterns, ensuring that the cache effectively improves application performance without introducing complexity or maintenance challenges.

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### What is caching?

Caching serves to enhance performance by storing frequently accessed data in a readily accessible location, thus reducing the need to repeatedly compute or retrieve this data from a more time-consuming source, like a database. To optimize the effectiveness of caching in an application, it is often beneficial to establish clear policies for cache invalidation and expiration, thereby ensuring that the cache reflects the most current data without holding onto stale information.

### What is server-side caching?

Server-side caching involves the temporary storage of data on the server to accelerate data retrieval and reduce latency. By caching content, the server can quickly serve repeated requests for the same data without needing to recompute or query the database, thus enhancing the application's performance and scalability.

Implementing server-side caching is important for optimizing resource usage and improving user experience. Techniques like setting appropriate cache lifetimes and employing invalidation strategies ensure that the cache remains efficient and that users receive up-to-date information. 

### Why do we need Caching?

1.  Reducing the load on the server, as repetitive data retrieval operations can be minimized.
2.  By limiting the number of outgoing requests to the server, caching helps in conserving bandwidth, which not only benefits users through faster load times but also conserves network resources. It delivers requested content with minimal delay.
3.  Reduce burden on databases by preventing redundant queries for frequently accessed data. It is particularly beneficial during high traffic periods, ensuring that the system remains responsive and stable without overwhelming the database with excessive loads.
4.  Handling network traffic effectively as it serves as a buffer against sudden surges in requests, thereby maintaining service availability and reliability even when user demand spikes unexpectedly.
5.  Decreasing service calls, which can decrease user satisfaction and increase cost for the company.  

### Step 1: Install Dependencies

The initial step involves setting up caching within the Nest.js project. This process includes configuring the appropriate caching strategies and integrating them with the existing infrastructure of the application.

```bash
npm install @apollo/server-plugin-response-cache
```

`@apollo/server-plugin-response-cache` is a package that provides a plugin for caching GraphQL responses in Apollo Server. It is designed to work with Apollo Server. The plugin helps optimize the performance of GraphQL queries by caching the responses and serving them from the cache instead of executing the same query repeatedly.

### Step2: Register the Caching Plugins

To implement caching in Nest.js, it's necessary to register caching plugins, which are configured to manage the storage and retrieval of data from the cache. Nest.js provides a flexible way to integrate various caching strategies through custom or pre-built plugins. This allows people to avoid direct cache manipulation. 

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Amelia Wattenberger

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