Definition
A Salesforce caching layer (part of Platform Cache) that stores frequently accessed data in memory using org cache (shared across users) or session cache (per user), reducing SOQL queries and improving application performance.
Real-World Example
the IT director at Vertex Global uses Platform Cache to scale their operations using the Salesforce platform. Platform Cache gives them the infrastructure and tools needed to support new business requirements, handle increased data volumes, and serve a growing user base without compromising performance.
Why Platform Cache Matters
Platform Cache is a Salesforce caching layer (part of Platform Cache) that stores frequently accessed data in memory using org cache (shared across users) or session cache (per user), reducing SOQL queries and improving application performance. Developers use Platform Cache APIs in Apex to store and retrieve cached values, with the platform handling the cache infrastructure. Cached data has a configured time-to-live and gets evicted when the cache fills up.
Platform Cache is valuable for performance optimization when the same data is accessed repeatedly. Org cache is appropriate for data shared across users (like configuration values, lookup data, expensive query results). Session cache is appropriate for per-user data (like user-specific calculations or context). Mature Apex code uses Platform Cache for legitimate caching scenarios while being careful not to cache stale data or rely on cache for correctness.
How Organizations Use Platform Cache
- •TerraForm Tech — Uses Platform Cache to store expensive lookup query results that are referenced frequently across user requests.
- •Quantum Labs — Built session cache patterns for user-specific calculations that would be slow to recompute on every page load.
- •CodeBridge — Treats Platform Cache as a performance optimization tool with careful consideration of staleness implications.