The Difference Between Memcache and Memcached
In the world of caching, two names often come up: Memcache and Memcached. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. In this article, we’ll delve into the differences between these two caching systems and explore their uses.
What is Memcached?
Memcached is a free, open-source, high-performance, distributed memory object caching system. It’s designed to speed up dynamic web applications by alleviating database load. Memcached is an in-memory key-value store for small chunks of arbitrary data, such as strings or objects, from database calls, API calls, or page rendering.
What is Memcache?
Memcache, on the other hand, is a PHP extension that connects to a Memcached server using the libmemcached library. It’s an older extension that has been around for a while, but it’s still widely used. Memcache is a PHP extension for connecting to Memcached servers, and it’s designed to provide a simple and easy-to-use interface for caching data.
Memcached vs Memcache: What’s the Difference?
So, what’s the difference between Memcached and Memcache? The main difference lies in the approach and functionality. Memcached is a standalone caching system that can be used with any programming language, while Memcache is a PHP extension that connects to a Memcached server.
Memcached Server
A Memcached server is a daemon that runs in memory and stores data in a key-value format. It’s designed to be highly performant and scalable, making it ideal for large-scale web applications. Memcached servers can be configured to store data in a distributed manner, allowing for high availability and redundancy.
Memcache PHP Extension
The Memcache PHP extension, on the other hand, is a PHP module that connects to a Memcached server using the libmemcached library. It provides a simple and easy-to-use interface for caching data, making it a popular choice for PHP developers.
Code Snippets
Let’s take a look at some code snippets to illustrate the difference between Memcached and Memcache.
// Memcached code snippet
$M = new Memcached();
$M->addServer('localhost', 11211);
$items = array('Key1' => 'value1', 'Key2' => 'value2', 'Key3' => 'value3');
$M->setMulti($items);
$result = $M->getMulti(array('Key1', 'Key3', 'badkey'), $cas);
var_dump($result, $cas);
// Memcache code snippet
$memcache = new Memcache();
$memcache->addServer('localhost', 11211);
$memcache->set('Key1', 'value1');
$memcache->set('Key2', 'value2');
$memcache->set('Key3', 'value3');
$result = $memcache->get('Key1');
var_dump($result);
As you can see, the Memcache code snippet uses the set method to store data in the cache, while the Memcached code snippet uses the setMulti method to store multiple key-value pairs.
Recommendations
So, which one should you use? If you’re building a new application, it’s recommended to use Memcached as the caching system. Memcached is a more modern and scalable solution that provides better performance and availability. If you’re working with an existing application that uses Memcache, it’s still worth considering upgrading to Memcached.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Memcached and Memcache are two different caching systems that serve different purposes. Memcached is a standalone caching system that can be used with any programming language, while Memcache is a PHP extension that connects to a Memcached server. By understanding the differences between these two systems, you can make informed decisions about which one to use for your next project.