Database caching

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (January 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Database caching is a process included in the design of computer applications which generate web pages on-demand (dynamically) by accessing backend databases.

When these applications are deployed on multi-tier environments that involve browser-based clients, web application servers and backend databases,^[1][2] middle-tier database caching is used to achieve high scalability and performance.^[2]

In a three tier architecture, the application software tier and data storage tier can be in different hosts. Throughput of an application can be limited by the network speed. This limitation can be minimized by having the database at the application tier. Because commercial database software makes extensive use of system resources, it is not always practical to have the application and the database at the same host. In this case, a more light-weight database application can be used to cache data from the commercial database management system.