Cache Eviction Policy

Why do some apps feel lightning-fast while others lag, even on the same device? A big part of that speed comes down to cache management, and at the heart of it is the cache eviction policy.

Caching helps store frequently used data in a faster storage layer so that your system doesn’t have to fetch it from a slower source every time. But since cache storage is limited, at some point, old data needs to be removed to make space for new data. 

That’s where cache eviction policies come in; they decide what stays and what goes.

What Is Cache Eviction?

Think of your cache like a small fridge in your room. It can only hold so much, so when you buy new snacks, you might have to throw out the old ones. But how do you decide what to throw out? That’s exactly what cache eviction policies do.

Cache eviction is the process of removing data from the cache when it reaches its storage limit. The key question is:
👉 Which data should be removed to make space for new data?

The answer depends on the cache eviction policy in place.

What Is a Cache Eviction Policy?

A cache eviction policy is a set of rules that determine which data gets removed when the cache is full. Different systems use different policies based on their needs. Some prioritize recently used data, while others focus on how often data is accessed.

Choosing the right cache eviction strategy can make or break the performance of an application, database, or operating system.

How Cache Eviction Differs From Cache Invalidation

It is easy to mix up cache eviction and cache invalidation, but they solve different problems. Eviction is about space. When the cache is full, something has to leave so new data can enter. Invalidation is about correctness. When origin data changes, old copies must be removed or refreshed, even if there is still space left.

You can think of eviction as the cleaner making room on the shelf, and invalidation as the manager pulling expired or wrong items. A healthy system usually does both: it evicts items that are cold or low value, and it invalidates items that are out of date or unsafe to serve.

Types of Cache Eviction Policies

There are several cache eviction policies, each suited for different scenarios. Let’s explore the most commonly used ones.

1. Least Recently Used (LRU)

👉 Removes the data that hasn’t been used for the longest time.

• Think of your phone’s recent apps list; if you haven’t used an app in a while, the system might remove it from memory to make space for something new.
• Best for workloads where old data is less likely to be accessed again.

🔹 Used in: Operating systems, databases, and web caching.

2. Least Frequently Used (LFU)

👉 Removes data that has been used the least number of times.

• If a piece of data has rarely been accessed, it’s probably not important, so it gets evicted first.
• Best for scenarios where popular data should stay in the cache longer.

🔹 Used in: Content delivery networks (CDNs) and database caching.

3. First In, First Out (FIFO)

👉 Removes the oldest data first, regardless of how often it was used.

• Just like a queue in a grocery store, the first item that enters the cache is the first to leave.
• Works well for simple, time-sensitive caching needs but doesn’t consider usage patterns.

🔹 Used in: Simple caching systems where recency doesn’t matter.

4. Random Replacement (RR)

👉 Randomly selects a cache entry to remove.

• Sometimes, randomness is the easiest solution; especially when precise tracking is too expensive.
• Best for systems where tracking usage data is impractical.

🔹 Used in: Hardware caches and some network devices.

5. Adaptive Replacement Cache (ARC)

👉 Combines LRU and LFU for smarter cache eviction.

• ARC dynamically adjusts between recency-based and frequency-based eviction based on actual workload patterns.
• It’s more efficient than basic LRU or LFU alone.

🔹 Used in: High-performance database systems like PostgreSQL.

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How Cache Eviction Strategies Work

Now that you know the types of cache eviction policies, let’s talk about strategies; the broader approach to managing cache eviction.

1. Write-Through Caching

• Writes data to both the cache and the main storage at the same time.
• Ensures data is always up-to-date but comes with a performance cost.

🔹 Used in: Databases and cloud storage systems.

2. Write-Back Caching

• Writes data to the cache first and updates the main storage later.
• Faster performance but has a risk of data loss if the system crashes before syncing.

🔹 Used in: CPU caches and SSDs.

3. Lazy Eviction

• Only removes data when necessary, rather than proactively.
• Can be more efficient but may lead to occasional slowdowns.

🔹 Used in: Web browsers and distributed systems.

Cache Eviction Algorithms

Cache eviction policies set the rules, but algorithms determine how those rules are applied. Let’s look at a few well-known cache eviction algorithms:

1. LRU Algorithm (Least Recently Used)

• Maintains a list of cache entries and evicts the one that was accessed the longest time ago.
• Implemented using a linked list or a hash table for efficiency.

🔹 Example: Operating systems use LRU for memory paging.

2. LFU Algorithm (Least Frequently Used)

• Keeps a count of how many times each entry is accessed and evicts the one with the lowest count.
• Requires more memory to track usage but works well for long-term caching needs.

🔹 Example: Content recommendation systems use LFU to keep popular items in cache.

3. Clock Algorithm (Enhanced LRU)

• Uses a circular queue and a "clock hand" to track which data is least used.
• More efficient than LRU because it doesn’t require constant list updates.

🔹 Example: Used in operating systems for virtual memory management.

4. Two-Queue Algorithm (2Q)

• Splits cache into two queues:
  
  
  
  • One for new entries.
  • One for long-term entries.
• If an entry is accessed frequently, it moves from the first queue to the second.

🔹 Example: PostgreSQL uses this for database caching.

Performance Trade-offs of Eviction Policies

Choosing the wrong cache eviction policy can severely impact cache efficiency, CPU usage, and response times. Here’s how different strategies affect system performance:

🔹 Time Complexity of Eviction Algorithms

Each eviction policy has a different computational cost, impacting system speed:

✅ LRU is great for quick access but has memory overhead from linked lists.
✅ LFU improves efficiency but needs extra tracking and sorting, making it computationally expensive.
✅ FIFO is simple but doesn’t consider usage patterns, which can lead to frequent cache misses.
✅ Random Replacement has low overhead but can lead to unpredictable performance.

🔹 Memory Overhead and Cache Efficiency

• Tracking Access History:
  
  
  
  • LRU maintains linked lists or counters, requiring extra memory.
  • LFU keeps usage counts, increasing storage costs.
• Inefficient Evictions Can Increase Cache Misses:
  
  
  
  • FIFO doesn’t consider recency or frequency, often evicting useful data.
  • Random Replacement might throw away high-priority data, leading to unnecessary recomputation.

🔸 For high-performance systems, a hybrid approach (like ARC) is often better than a single eviction policy.

Choosing the Right Cache Eviction Policy

So, how do you pick the best cache eviction policy? It depends on your needs:

✔️ Need to remove least-used data? → Use LFU
✔️ Want to evict old data first? → Use FIFO
✔️ Need a balance between old and frequently used data? → Use ARC
✔️ Prefer simplicity? → Use Random Replacement (RR)

The right strategy depends on your workload, hardware, and performance goals.

Cache Eviction in CDNs and Edge Caches

In CDNs and edge caches, eviction has a huge impact on performance and cost. Each edge node has limited memory. When it fills up, the CDN must decide which objects to keep close to users and which ones to drop. Those choices affect cache hit ratio, origin load, and user latency.

Most CDNs lean on popularity based policies like LRU or LFU. Hot, frequently requested assets stay in edge cache. Long tail content is more likely to be evicted when space runs short. 

TTLs also matter. Short TTL content expires faster and can be evicted sooner, while long lived assets like images or scripts may stay near users for longer.

Poor eviction decisions in a CDN can:

• Push too many requests back to origin and increase bandwidth costs
• Hurt users in specific regions if local edge nodes keep dropping useful objects
• Make performance look unstable, because popular content keeps falling out of cache

That is why CDN operators watch eviction behavior along with cache hit ratio. A good eviction policy at the edge does not only keep nodes from filling up. 

It keeps the right content close to the users who need it.

Cache Eviction in Distributed Systems

Handling cache eviction in distributed caching is much more complex than in single-node caches.

🔹 Why Is Distributed Cache Eviction Harder?

• Multiple nodes manage cache independently, leading to inconsistencies.
• Evicting data on one node doesn’t mean it’s evicted everywhere.
• Coordination overhead: If eviction isn't well-managed, it can result in stale data, race conditions, and performance bottlenecks.

🔹 Strategies for Distributed Cache Eviction

1️⃣ Centralized Eviction

• A single node or master decides which data should be evicted across all cache nodes.
• Pros: Ensures consistent eviction, prevents cache poisoning.
• Cons: High dependency on a central authority (can be a bottleneck).
• Example: Memcached’s Least Recently Used (LRU) eviction is centrally managed.

2️⃣ Decentralized Eviction (Local Decision-Making)

• Each cache node evicts data independently based on local policies.
• Pros: More scalable and avoids single points of failure.
• Cons: Can lead to data inconsistencies (one node may evict a key still needed by another).
• Example: Redis eviction policies are per-node, meaning keys may remain in some nodes but not others.

3️⃣ Cooperative Eviction (Consensus-Based)

• Nodes share eviction metadata to coordinate removal across the system.
• Uses gossip protocols or distributed leader election to maintain consistency.
• Pros: Balances scalability and eviction accuracy.
• Cons: Requires more network communication.
• Example: Apache Ignite and Amazon DynamoDB use cooperative eviction techniques.

Conclusion

A cache eviction policy is crucial for maintaining fast and efficient caching. Different cache eviction strategies like LRU, LFU, and FIFO help systems decide which data to remove when space runs out. Choosing the right policy can significantly improve performance in databases, web applications, and even operating systems.

At the end of the day, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. It all comes down to how frequently your data changes, how often it’s accessed, and what level of performance you need.

FAQs

What is a cache eviction policy and why is it important?

A cache eviction policy is the rulebook that decides which items are removed when the cache is full. It matters because the “wrong” evictions increase cache misses, waste CPU and I/O, and make apps feel slower. The “right” policy keeps the most valuable data close to the CPU or user.

How do I choose the right cache eviction policy for my application?

Start with your access pattern. If recently used data is likely to be reused, LRU is a safe default. If popularity over time matters, LFU or ARC may be better. For extremely simple or resource constrained systems, FIFO or Random Replacement can work. Measure hit rates and latency, then adjust.

What is the difference between cache eviction and cache invalidation?

Cache eviction manages capacity. When space runs low, the policy decides which entries to remove so new data can be stored. Cache invalidation manages correctness. When origin data changes, stale entries must be removed or refreshed even if the cache is not full. Most real systems do both at once.

How do cache eviction policies affect performance and resource usage?

Eviction policies impact CPU time, memory overhead, and cache hit ratio. Policies like LRU and LFU often improve hit rate but cost extra bookkeeping. Simpler ones like FIFO or Random are cheap to run but make less intelligent choices. The trade off is between smarter decisions and the cost of making them.

How is cache eviction handled in distributed caching systems?

In distributed caches, each node has its own memory and eviction decisions. Some setups use centralized control so one authority coordinates which keys are evicted. Others let each node evict locally based on its own policy. More advanced designs share metadata so nodes cooperate and avoid inconsistent or stale entries.

How do CDNs and edge caches use cache eviction policies?

CDNs and edge caches use eviction policies to decide which objects stay in limited edge storage. Popular and frequently requested assets are kept, while long tail or rarely used items are evicted when capacity is tight. Good eviction at the edge keeps cache hit ratios high, reduces origin traffic, and lowers latency.

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