In order to improve website performance and make it easier to access by storing some details on the client machine, Cache and cookies were invented. But they perform different operations. A cache uses to store web page resources in the browser (client) to reduce loading time. While cookies use to store browsing sessions to track user preferences.
Read our article to know about the difference between cache and cookies through the information given below.
Definition of cache
A cache is a storage area on the hard disk. It is a memory area where the browser stores Internet files or web objects on the user’s machine. When a user visits a website, first of all, the browser checks the object in its cache and then requests the object from the website. Caching improves the speed of web browsing and accessibility.
As an example, suppose there is a website that I often use known as AAA. com. If its objects (such as logo and navigation bar) are collected in the browser’s cache, the browser does not need to get them from a specific website, and the browser can easily use the cached objects, saving time.
Caching, of course, minimizes load and bandwidth requirements and improves the speed of delivery of web resources to end-users. The least commonly used web objects become stale. If web objects become stale, they are considered not to be in the cache. Each web object has an expiration time associated with it. And this expiration time is defined in the HTTP header of the web object.
Definition of cookie
Cookies are simple information storage on the client’s computer. Whenever a user surfs the Internet, the server-side code will send a small text file. This small text file is, the cookie in the HTTP server response header, and store on the user’s computer. The reason is that when the user visits the same site again, the cookie will help the server identify the client according to the cookie information.
This overcomes the stateless limitation of the HTTP protocol. This means that every request from the client will be provided as a new request, even to the same server and the same session.
The cookie does not contain executable code, so it will not cause any damage to the user’s computer. Nevertheless, cookies can use unknowingly send target advertisements to users.
Types of cookies
Transient Cookie: Transient cookie is a type of cookie that is valid for the lifetime of the session.
Persistent Cookie: this cookie remains on the user’s computer after the lifetime of the session.
Cache and cookies- Major differences
The web browser will collect the content or information related to the specific website. Whenever you visit a website, such as HTML pages and related images, which is known as Web cache, and the memory storing the content or information is known as a cache. On the other side, a cookie is a piece of information to remember user preferences and session details, sent from the server to the client.
Caching can take up a lot of space because it stores a variety of web content. In opposite, as it stores text files (usually about 4KB in size), a cookie takes less space.
The information collected in the cache must delete manually. But the cookie is self expired and will be deleted automatically.
Caching only involves the client browser and cookies stores on both the client and server.
Generally, there are two variants of caching, browser caching and proxy caching. On the contrary, there are two types of cookies: temporary and persistent.
Cookies, normally sent by the server to the client as HTTP responses. In contrast, caching does not use HTTP requests while storing information.
Conclusion
By storing information fragments such as website content and cookie browsing session (user preferences), cache and cookies improve the Internet surfing experience. so as to significantly shorten the loading time of websites.
Caching will never cause any harm to the user’s computer, but cookies will endanger the user’s privacy. Attackers abuse cookies to collect personal data using modern methods.
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