Application and Cache

The Cache and Application objects provide broader scope than the Session object and the data is available to all the classes within the ASP.NET application.

The Basics

• ASP.NET Application State Overview
• ASP.NET Caching Overview
• How to: Save Values in Application State
• How to: Read Values from Application State
• Introduction to Page Data Caching
• Effectively use the cache object in ASP.NET designs - Digging slightly deeper, this article helps you formulate a strategy for your larger system design.

Videos

• How Do I: Make use of Caching?
• How Do I: Make Greater use of Caching?

Cache Dependancy

• Implementing Custom Cache Dependencies - There are some good diagrams here and discussion on SQL Cache Dependency

Advanced caching

• Advanced ASP.NET caching events - Short how-to on the System.Web.Caching.CacheItemRemovedCallback delegate which enables you to know perfectly why a cached item has been removed from cache (i.e. cache expired, memory shortage, ...)
• Caching Application Block - patterns & practices group
  The Caching Application Block is a component of Enterprise Library which provides a flexible and extensible caching mechanism for use in client and server-side .NET development projects.
• Tip/Trick: Implement "Donut Caching" with the ASP.NET 2.0 Output Cache Substitution Feature - Scott Gu Blog

Tools

• Visual Studio 2005 Cache Visualizer - Gives you some insight into what's going on underneath.

Enjoy!