Memcache vs. Memcached: Which PHP Caching Library Should You Choose?

Memcache vs. Memcached: Choosing the Right PHP Library for Your Cache Needs

In the realm of PHP caching libraries, Memcache and Memcached stand out prominently. Both libraries offer efficient data caching solutions, but their differences can influence your choice.

Key Differences

Memcached is a more recent and feature-rich library. It offers several crucial functionalities that are absent in Memcache:

• Cas Tokens: These enable you to ensure data consistency by preventing stale data.
• Read-Through Callbacks: Simplify code by automatically fetching data if it's not in the cache.
• getDelayed(): Asynchronously fetches data, reducing script execution time.
• Binary Protocol: Provides faster performance than the ASCII protocol used by Memcache.
• igbinary: Optimizes storage of complex data, enhancing performance.

Choosing Between the Libraries

While Memcache has the advantages of being older, readily available, and having pre-built binaries, Memcached's advanced features make it the preferred choice for many applications. Its robust functionality provides greater control and versatility, particularly in scenarios where data integrity is crucial or performance is a concern.

Installation Considerations

Memcached requires an external libmemcached library, which may pose challenges for some users. However, it is generally supported by popular operating systems such as Ubuntu and Mac OSX.

Compatibility

Memcached is still relatively new, and not all frameworks have yet adopted it. However, Zend Framework 2 provides an adapter for Memcached.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision between Memcache and Memcached depends on your specific requirements. For applications that prioritize data reliability, performance, and advanced caching features, Memcached emerges as the more compelling choice. It offers a suite of capabilities that enable you to build robust and efficient caching systems.

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