How to Use Platform Cache in Salesforce for Faster Apps

Are you experiencing sluggish performance in your Salesforce applications? Slow loading times can frustrate users and hinder productivity. Fortunately, Salesforce offers a powerful tool to combat this: **Platform Cache**. Mastering how to use Platform Cache in Salesforce for faster apps is crucial for any Salesforce administrator or developer looking to optimize their instance.

What is Salesforce Platform Cache?

Salesforce Platform Cache is a powerful feature that allows you to store frequently accessed data and metadata in a fast, in-memory cache. Instead of repeatedly querying the database for the same information, you can retrieve it from the cache, significantly reducing response times. This is especially beneficial for data that doesn’t change very often but is frequently requested by multiple users or processes.

Understanding Cache Types

Salesforce offers two primary cache types:

1. Full Cache (Application Cache

This cache is available to all users and Apex code within your organization. It’s ideal for storing shared, commonly used data like configuration settings, lookup data, or aggregated results. Think of it as a central repository for information that benefits everyone.

2. Org Cache (Session Cache

This cache is specific to a user’s session. It’s useful for storing data that is relevant only to the current user’s interaction within a single session, such as user preferences or temporary calculation results. This prevents data clutter across different user sessions.

When to Use Platform Cache

Effectively using **Platform Cache in Salesforce for faster apps** hinges on identifying the right scenarios. Here are some prime examples:

• Frequently Accessed, Rarely Changing Data: Configuration settings, picklist values, pricing tables, or custom metadata that is loaded often but updated infrequently.
• Complex Query Results: If you have computationally intensive SOQL queries that return the same results repeatedly, caching these results can be a game-changer.
• External System Call Results: If your Salesforce org makes frequent calls to external APIs for specific data, caching those responses can prevent redundant calls and speed up operations.
• User-Specific Preferences or State: For data that enhances a user’s experience within their current session.

How to Implement Platform Cache

Implementing Platform Cache involves a few key steps:

1. Obtain Cache Partition(s): Your Salesforce org is allocated a certain amount of cache. You can request additional cache if needed through your Salesforce representative or explore options with a Salesforce consulting partner like sflancer.com/contact.
2. Use the `System.Cache` Apex Class: Salesforce provides the `System.Cache` Apex class to interact with the cache. You’ll use methods like `put(key, value)` to store data and `get(key)` to retrieve it.
3. Define Cache Keys: Choose descriptive and unique keys for your cached data. This ensures you can retrieve the correct information.
4. Implement Cache Logic in Apex: Your Apex code should first check if the data exists in the cache. If it does, retrieve it. If not, query the database (or call the external service), store the result in the cache, and then return it.

Example: Caching Custom Settings

Let’s say you have a custom setting that’s loaded on many pages. Instead of querying it every time, you can cache it:

    public class CacheService {

        public static MyCustomSetting__c getMyCustomSetting() {
            String cacheKey = 'myCustomSetting';
            MyCustomSetting__c setting = (MyCustomSetting__c)System.Cache.Org.get(cacheKey);

            if (setting == null) {
                setting = MyCustomSetting__c.getInstance(); // Query from Salesforce
                System.Cache.Org.put(cacheKey, setting); // Store in cache
            }
            return setting;
        }
    }
    

Best Practices for Platform Cache

To truly leverage **Platform Cache in Salesforce for faster apps**, consider these best practices:

• Cache Only What’s Necessary: Don’t cache everything. Focus on data that provides the most significant performance improvement.
• Set Appropriate Expiration Policies: Platform Cache offers expiration options. Set sensible timeouts to ensure data remains relatively fresh.
• Monitor Cache Usage: Keep an eye on your cache usage in Setup to avoid hitting limits.
• Clear Cache When Data Changes: If the data you’ve cached is updated, make sure to invalidate or clear the cache entry to prevent serving stale information.
• Test Thoroughly: Always test your caching implementation to ensure it behaves as expected and actually improves performance.

When Not to Use Platform Cache

Platform Cache isn’t a silver bullet. Avoid using it for:

• Highly Volatile Data: Data that changes frequently will lead to a lot of cache invalidations and may not offer significant benefits.
• Sensitive Data: While cache is secure, consider the implications of storing sensitive information in memory.
• Data Accessed by Only a Few Users Infrequently: The overhead of caching might outweigh the benefits in such cases.

Conclusion

Salesforce Platform Cache is a vital tool for boosting application performance. By strategically implementing and managing your cache, you can significantly enhance user experience and drive greater efficiency within your Salesforce ecosystem. If you’re looking to optimize your Salesforce instance, consider reaching out to experts. Explore the comprehensive solutions offered at sflancer.com/services or visit our homepage at sflancer.com to learn more about how we can help you unlock the full potential of your Salesforce platform.

For more in-depth technical details, the official Salesforce documentation is an invaluable resource: Salesforce Platform Cache Documentation.

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