Craft Cache For Latest Articles Block - When There Are 3 Instances Of It. What Is The Best Approach?

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Introduction

When it comes to optimizing performance in Craft CMS, caching is a crucial aspect to consider. In this article, we will explore the best approach to caching a block of code that pulls in the 2 latest articles, excluding the article of the current page. This block is used multiple times on a single page, and we want to ensure that the whole article is not cached, while still benefiting from caching.

Understanding the Problem

Let's assume we have a block of code that retrieves the 2 latest articles, excluding the current page's article. This block is used multiple times on a single page, for example, on a homepage or a blog index page. The problem arises when we try to cache this block, as caching the entire article would lead to inconsistent results and potential issues with the block's functionality.

The Current Approach

We currently have a block of code that pulls in the 2 latest articles and ensures that the article of the current page is not included. This block is used multiple times on a single page, and we want to cache this as a separate piece of content to ensure the whole article is not cached.

The Best Approach

To optimize performance and ensure that the block is cached correctly, we can use a combination of Craft's built-in caching features and some creative coding. Here's a step-by-step approach to achieve this:

1. Create a Separate Template for the Block

First, we need to create a separate template for the block that pulls in the 2 latest articles. This template will be responsible for rendering the block's content.

// templates/_latest_articles.php

% set latestArticles = craft.entries({
section 'blog',
limit: 2,
orderBy: 'dateCreated desc',
exclude: craft.request.get('id')
) %}


{% for article in latestArticles %}
<h2>{{ article.title }}</h2>
<p>{{ article.summary }}</p>
{% endfor %}

2. Use a Cache Tag to Cache the Block

Next, we need to use a cache tag to cache the block's content. We can use Craft's built-in cache tag to achieve this.

// templates/_latest_articles.php

% cache 'latest_articles' %}
{% set latestArticles = craft.entries({
section 'blog',
limit: 2,
orderBy: 'dateCreated desc',
exclude: craft.request.get('id')
) %}


{% for article in latestArticles %}
    &lt;h2&gt;{{ article.title }}&lt;/h2&gt;
    &lt;p&gt;{{ article.summary }}&lt;/p&gt;
{% endfor %}



{% endcache %}

3. Use a Cache Tag with a Unique Key

To ensure that the block is cached correctly, we need to use a cache tag with a unique key. We can use a combination of the block's ID and the current page's ID to create a unique key.

// templates/_latest_articles.php

% cache 'latest_articles_' ~ craft.request.get('id') %}
{% set latestArticles = craft.entries({
section 'blog',
limit: 2,
orderBy: 'dateCreated desc',
exclude: craft.request.get('')
) %}


{% for article in latestArticles %}
    &lt;h2&gt;{{ article.title }}&lt;/h2&gt;
    &lt;p&gt;{{ article.summary }}&lt;/p&gt;
{% endfor %}



{% endcache %}

4. Use a Cache Tag with a TTL (Time To Live)

To ensure that the block's content is updated regularly, we can use a cache tag with a TTL (Time To Live). This will ensure that the block's content is updated every 30 minutes, for example.

// templates/_latest_articles.php

% cache 'latest_articles_' ~ craft.request.get('id') with expiration(1800) %}
{% set latestArticles = craft.entries({
section 'blog',
limit: 2,
orderBy: 'dateCreated desc',
exclude: craft.request.get('id')
) %}


{% for article in latestArticles %}
    &lt;h2&gt;{{ article.title }}&lt;/h2&gt;
    &lt;p&gt;{{ article.summary }}&lt;/p&gt;
{% endfor %}



{% endcache %}

Conclusion

In conclusion, caching a block of code that pulls in the 2 latest articles, excluding the article of the current page, requires a combination of Craft's built-in caching features and some creative coding. By creating a separate template for the block, using a cache tag to cache the block's content, using a cache tag with a unique key, and using a cache tag with a TTL, we can ensure that the block is cached correctly and that the whole article is not cached. This approach will help to optimize performance and ensure that the block's content is updated regularly.

Best Practices

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when caching a block of code in Craft CMS:

  • Use a separate template for the block to ensure that the block's content is cached correctly.
  • Use a cache tag to cache the block's content.
  • Use a cache tag with a unique key to ensure that the block's content is cached correctly.
  • Use a cache tag with a TTL to ensure that the block's content is updated regularly.
  • Test the block's caching functionality to ensure that it is working correctly.

Common Issues

Here are some common issues that may arise when caching a block of code in Craft CMS:

  • The block's content is not being cached correctly.
  • The block's content is being cached too frequently.
  • The block's content is not being updated regularly.

Troubleshooting

Here are some steps to troubleshoot common issues when caching a block of code in Craft CMS:

  • Check the block's template to ensure that it is using a cache tag.
  • Check the cache tag's key to ensure that it is unique.
  • Check the cache tag's TTL to ensure that it is set correctly.
  • Test the block's caching functionality to ensure that it is working correctly.

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the best approach to caching a block of code that pulls in the 2 latest articles, excluding the article of the current page. We discussed the importance of caching, the current approach, and the best approach to achieve this. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to caching a block of code in Craft CMS.

Q&A

Q: What is caching in Craft CMS?

A: Caching in Craft CMS is a process of storing frequently accessed data in a temporary storage area, known as a cache, to improve the performance of your website.

Q: Why do I need to cache a block of code in Craft CMS?

A: Caching a block of code in Craft CMS can improve the performance of your website by reducing the number of database queries and improving page load times.

Q: How do I cache a block of code in Craft CMS?

A: To cache a block of code in Craft CMS, you need to use a cache tag in your template. A cache tag is a special tag that tells Craft CMS to cache the content of the block.

Q: What is a cache tag in Craft CMS?

A: A cache tag in Craft CMS is a special tag that tells Craft CMS to cache the content of a block. It is used to specify the cache key, which is a unique identifier for the cache.

Q: How do I specify a cache key in Craft CMS?

A: To specify a cache key in Craft CMS, you need to use the cache tag with a unique key. The key can be a combination of the block's ID and the current page's ID.

Q: What is a TTL (Time To Live) in Craft CMS?

A: A TTL (Time To Live) in Craft CMS is a setting that specifies how long the cache should be valid. It is used to ensure that the cache is updated regularly.

Q: How do I set a TTL in Craft CMS?

A: To set a TTL in Craft CMS, you need to use the cache tag with the expiration parameter. The expiration parameter specifies the number of seconds that the cache should be valid.

Q: What are some common issues that may arise when caching a block of code in Craft CMS?

A: Some common issues that may arise when caching a block of code in Craft CMS include:

  • The block's content is not being cached correctly.
  • The block's content is being cached too frequently.
  • The block's content is not being updated regularly.

Q: How do I troubleshoot common issues when caching a block of code in Craft CMS?

A: To troubleshoot common issues when caching a block of code in Craft CMS, you need to:

  • Check the block's template to ensure that it is using a cache tag.
  • Check the cache tag's key to ensure that it is unique.
  • Check the cache tag's TTL to ensure that it is set correctly.
  • Test the block's caching functionality to ensure that it is working correctly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, caching a block of code in Craft CMS can improve the performance of your website by reducing the number of database queries and improving page load times. By using a cache tag, specifying a cache key, and setting a, you can ensure that the block's content is cached correctly and updated regularly. We hope that this article has answered some of your frequently asked questions related to caching a block of code in Craft CMS.

Best Practices

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when caching a block of code in Craft CMS:

  • Use a separate template for the block to ensure that the block's content is cached correctly.
  • Use a cache tag to cache the block's content.
  • Use a cache tag with a unique key to ensure that the block's content is cached correctly.
  • Use a cache tag with a TTL to ensure that the block's content is updated regularly.
  • Test the block's caching functionality to ensure that it is working correctly.

Common Issues

Here are some common issues that may arise when caching a block of code in Craft CMS:

  • The block's content is not being cached correctly.
  • The block's content is being cached too frequently.
  • The block's content is not being updated regularly.

Troubleshooting

Here are some steps to troubleshoot common issues when caching a block of code in Craft CMS:

  • Check the block's template to ensure that it is using a cache tag.
  • Check the cache tag's key to ensure that it is unique.
  • Check the cache tag's TTL to ensure that it is set correctly.
  • Test the block's caching functionality to ensure that it is working correctly.

By following these best practices and troubleshooting common issues, you can ensure that your block's caching functionality is working correctly and that your website's performance is optimized.