Ehcache vs guava: What are the differences?

Introduction

This article discusses the key differences between Ehcache and Guava, two popular caching libraries used in software development.

1. In-Memory Caching vs Caching Utilities:

   • Ehcache is primarily an in-memory caching library that allows developers to store and retrieve data in memory for fast access. On the other hand, Guava is a general-purpose caching utility library that provides caching functionality along with other utility classes.

2. Cache Eviction Policies:

   • Ehcache offers a wide range of cache eviction policies such as LRU (Least Recently Used), LFU (Least Frequently Used), and FIFO (First In, First Out). These policies determine which cache entries to remove when the cache reaches its maximum capacity. In contrast, Guava's caching utilities use a simpler eviction policy based on the size of the cache and a combination of time-based and reference-based cache eviction.

3. Distributed Caching Support:

   • Ehcache provides built-in support for distributed caching, allowing multiple instances of an application to share a common cache. On the other hand, Guava does not offer native support for distributed caching and is primarily designed for single-instance caching scenarios.

4. Cache Loading Strategies:

   • Ehcache supports various cache loading strategies such as manual loading, lazy loading, and asynchronous loading. These strategies dictate when and how cache entries are loaded into the cache. In contrast, Guava does not provide built-in support for cache loading strategies and requires developers to manually load cache entries.

5. Integration with Java EE Standards:

   • Ehcache is integrated with Java EE standards and can be easily used in Java EE applications. It supports features such as caching annotations, declarative configuration, and integration with Java EE frameworks. On the other hand, Guava is a standalone library and does not have direct integration with Java EE standards.

6. Cache Statistics and Monitoring:

   • Ehcache provides extensive cache statistics and monitoring features, allowing developers to gain insights into the cache's performance, hit/miss ratio, and memory usage. Guava, on the other hand, provides limited cache statistics functionality and lacks detailed monitoring features.

In summary, Ehcache is primarily an in-memory caching library with distributed caching support, various cache eviction policies, cache loading strategies, and integration with Java EE standards. Guava, on the other hand, is a general-purpose caching utility library with a simpler cache eviction policy, no native distributed caching support, no built-in cache loading strategies, and limited cache statistics and monitoring features.