How to properly optimize cache in production server?

I'm running a Laravel 9 and Vue 2 SPA. I'm a newbie and I'd like to know if I'm doing the correct procedure to handle cache in the production server.

When I'm updating multiple route/config/view files at the same time, I run:

php artisan optimize:clear

and then:

php artisan route:cache
php artisan config:cache
php artisan view:cache

or else if I'm updating a single type of file, e.g. "config", I only run "config:clear" and then "config:cache ".

Today, by running "php artisan about" I found out that "Events" were not cached, so I added to the above list:

php artisan events:cache

I was inspecting the code of OptimizeClearCommand.php: https://github.com/laravel/framework/blob/9.x/src/Illuminate/Foundation/Console/OptimizeClearCommand.php

A few questions:

1- Should I run "optimize:clear" when updating config/route/view/events files, or should I run ":clear" and then ":cache" for each file type?

2- Is this the correct procedure to handle cache after the "optimize:clear" command, or is there anything else I should add?

3- Is there any other reason I should run "optimize:clear", besides when I'm updating many config/route/view/events files at the same time?

4- Any reason I should avoid "optimize:clear"?

5- If I only update the .env file, should I run "optimize:clear"?

KalimeroMK

2 years ago

Best Answer

Level 41

Running optimize:clear for Updating Files Updating Multiple File Types: If you are updating multiple file types (config, route, view, events), using php artisan optimize:clear is a good approach. This command clears all caches in one go. Updating a Single File Type: If you're only updating a single type of file, it's more efficient to clear and then cache only that specific type. For example, if you're only updating configuration files, use php artisan config:clear followed by php artisan config:cache.
Correct Procedure After optimize:clear After running optimize:clear, the sequence you follow (caching routes, config, views, and events) is indeed correct. It's a comprehensive approach to ensure that all aspects of your application that can benefit from caching are handled.
Other Reasons to Run optimize:clear Troubleshooting: Sometimes, when you face unexpected behavior or errors, clearing all caches can help, especially if you suspect that outdated cached files might be the cause. Major Updates: After significant application updates or upgrades, running optimize:clear can ensure that all old cached files are removed.
Reasons to Avoid optimize:clear Performance Hit: Each time you run optimize:clear, the application will have a temporary performance hit since it needs to rebuild cache files. This is typically not a concern for a few users, but for high-traffic sites, it's better to minimize its usage. Downtime Considerations: If you're caching routes and config, clearing them might lead to a momentary downtime as the application rebuilds these caches. It's usually brief but something to consider.
Updating the .env File When you update the .env file, you should run php artisan config:clear because Laravel caches the configuration values. If you want to re-cache immediately, follow it with php artisan config:cache. Running optimize:clear after updating the .env file is not strictly necessary unless you've also made changes to routes, views, or events that need to be re-cached. Additional Tips Automating Cache Clearing: Consider automating the cache clearing process as part of your deployment script. This way, you can ensure that caches are always cleared and rebuilt as needed during deployment. Monitoring Performance: Keep an eye on your application's performance. If you notice performance issues, analyze whether your caching strategy needs adjustments. Avoid Over-Caching: While caching is beneficial, over-caching can lead to its own issues, such as stale data being served. Be judicious in what you cache and how often you clear it. Your approach seems well thought out. Just remember to tailor it to the specific needs and traffic patterns of your application.

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