Memcache as a Means of Improving PHP Performance

Memcache is a method for distributing memory for large scale database sites that can help improve server efficiency for PHP applications. For large scale PHP and mySQL driven sites, memcache enables distributed computing that layer requests in terms of priority, helping to delivery large scale content across a wide variety of sites in a more efficient manner. As a result, some of the most widely used LAMP applications online today utilize the technology as a means to improve performance, including some of the top brands in social networking. While memcache was originally developed for C, today it is an active part of the PHP and LAMP development community, helping to improve performance of enterprise scale apps.

As an open source distributed cache technology, memcache stores data according to key values to improve the quality of database queries, API calls or on-page elements. Rather than solely relying upon unique database calls for each unique element of your application, Memcache can enable you to utilize shared memory across your servers in order to improve overall performance. The feature enables combining cache across a network of servers on a shared set of memory resources. As a result, you can benefit from economies of scale across your servers. Effectively utilizing a shared pool of memory and optimizing resources accordingly can greatly improve the performance and quality of your web-based applications over time.

For each unique type of LAMP setup, Memcache can improve server-side performance by developing a front end static cache of content that can be distributed more rapidly. There are specific cached arrays associated with memcache which distribute content across servers – client servers communicate through an array which communicates priorities in terms of content delivery and helps distribute delivery tasks across a network of machines.

More efficiently utilizing the RAM capabilities of each machine, Memcache can establish which types of content can most effectively be used to distribute common HTTP server requests. For major social networking sites this may include common images and media which can be distributed via cache so the user doesn’t have to make a unique request. Compiling open, distributed content can both protect user security while improving overall load times for PHP apps. Whether you are deploying a large scale application or just beginning to work with a basic, small-scale app, the technology can vastly improve performance.

Utilizing memcache to optimize database queries

Since database queries can be one of the most computationally intensive parts of the development process, optimizing your database functions is an important part of the overall process. In general a common database call takes the form of:

function get_command(int userid) {

result = db_select("SELECT * FROM users WHERE user =id);

}

In order to prevent having to reload the user database tables uniquely each time, memcache can be utilized in order to call the data through a memcached_fetch command to see if the user’s data has been cached for improved performance. With a conditional call command the user can utilize the cache in order to speed up the connection process substantially.