AI engineering glossary · Computing foundations
What is cache memory?
Cache memory (also called CPU cache): A small, very fast memory inside or next to the CPU that keeps copies of recently used data so the processor need not wait for slower RAM. Programs that reuse nearby data repeatedly run faster because most reads become cache hits.
Cache memory: an example
Looping through an array in order is fast because neighbouring elements are already loaded into cache.
Related terms
More Computing foundations terms
- Central processing unit
- Character encoding
- Checksum
- CIDR notation
- Client
- Clock speed
- Cloud computing
- Code point
Where you learn it
Cache memory is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.