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Cache Warming vs Refresh-Ahead#

Both load data into the cache before a user asks for it, but they solve completely different problems. Confusing them leads to using the wrong tool for the wrong situation.

These two solve different problems

Cache Warming — cache is empty. Nothing to serve yet. Load it before traffic hits. Refresh-Ahead — cache has the key, but it's about to expire. Refresh it before users see a miss. Refresh-Ahead does not help a cold cache — there's nothing to refresh if the key was never loaded.