Cache and cookies are both utilized by websites to enhance their performance and provide a more personalized experience for visitors. They do this by storing certain data from the user's end. Despite their similarities, there are notable differences between cache and cookies, which we will explore in this article.
In simple terms, a cache stores web resources from a page in a browser for future use, decreasing the website's future loading time. Meanwhile, cookies store user-specific details like browsing session information, preferred web pages, and more. Cookies use this information to track user preferences and interests.
What Exactly is Cache?
A web cache or HTTP cache is a technology that temporarily stores web documents to reduce bandwidth usage, perceived lag, and server load. These documents can range from images to HTML pages. Essentially, a cache is a storehouse of downloaded data that enables faster web page access.
Web cache systems keep a copy of documents that pass through them. This allows the cache to fulfill subsequent user requests, provided certain conditions are met. A web cache system can refer to either software or an application.
Let's illustrate this with a new example. If you visit a website full of high-resolution images, the loading time will likely be quite long. In this scenario, your web browser will store the website's content (including images) on your local computer system. The next time you visit the same website, it will load much faster due to the cached content.
What are Cookies?
Cookies are small data files that store relevant information for websites. This information can include passwords, browser details, visited pages, IP addresses, and more. Whenever a user loads a website, the browser sends the cookies back to the server, informing the website of the user's previous activity.
Cookies are temporary and have a limited lifespan determined by their creators. They collect various user information like site visit frequency, clicked banners, site preferences, shopping cart items, and more. By analyzing this information, a website can provide a more personalized user experience.
The concept of cookies was first introduced by Netscape. Initially, there was resistance to using cookies due to privacy concerns. However, it was later understood that cookies are harmless and are now widely accepted on online platforms.
Comparing Cache and Cookies
Parameters
Cache
Cookies
Basics
A cache is used to store website and application content to enhance user accessibility.
Cookies are used by websites and applications to store user activity and identify their preferences.
Stored Data
A cache stores Javascript, CSS, HTML pages, and media like images and videos.
Cookies store temporary data for tracking, such as browsing sessions and website usage history.
Capacity
Caches are less memory efficient and take up more space on a device.
Cookies are more memory efficient and take up less device space.
Storage Location
Caches store website content on the user's browser.
Cookies store data on both the server and the user's browser.
Expiration
Caches need to be manually deleted and do not expire automatically.
Cookies have a limited lifespan set by their creators and expire after a certain period.
Request Sent
Sending a cache response does not require a user request.
Cookies send a request for user authorization before sending a response to the servers.
An HTTP cache or a web cache is a type of information technology that temporarily stores web documents (in the form of a cache) for reducing the overall use of bandwidth, perceived lag, and server load.
What are Cookies?
Cookies in a system refer to the small files of data and information (that might be) useful to the visited websites. These include your passwords, used browser, visited pages and preferences, time and date of website visit, IP address, and many more.
What is the main difference between Cache and Cookies?
A cache stores the online resources from a page in a browser for the long run while a user operates on it. Cookies, on the other hand, store only the user’s choices. It includes their browsing session, tracks of preferred web pages, etc.