Getting Started with HybridCache in .NET

The moment .NET developers have been waiting for is here: HybridCache, a game-changing caching solution, is now generally available! This isn’t just another caching library—it’s a powerful fusion of in-memory speed and distributed resilience, designed to tackle real-world scalability challenges head-on. Let’s dive into how HybridCache transforms applications, with a practical example that every developer can relate to.

The Problem: Scaling an Online Bookstore

Imagine running a high-traffic online bookstore. Your product pages are hit by thousands of requests per minute, and your database groans under the load. You’ve implemented basic in-memory caching, but during peak sales, your multi-server setup struggles with inconsistent data. When prices update or stock levels change, stale cache entries frustrate users. Worse, cache stampedes—when dozens of requests bombard the database simultaneously after a cache miss—cause sudden latency spikes.

The Solution: HybridCache’s Layered Approach

HybridCache elegantly solves these problems by combining two caching layers:

1. In-Memory Cache (blazing-fast access for frequent data).
2. Distributed Cache (e.g., Redis, SQL Server) for cross-instance consistency.

Here’s how it works in action for our bookstore:

Scenario 1: Loading Product Details

When a user requests "The .NET Encyclopedia," HybridCache first checks the local in-memory cache. If the book isn’t there, it queries the distributed cache. If still not found, it safely fetches the data from the database, caches it in both layers, and returns it. Subsequent requests from any server instance get consistent, fast results.

// Register HybridCache  
services.AddHybridCache(options =>  
{  
    options.DistributedCacheEntryOptions = new()  
    {  
        AbsoluteExpirationRelativeToNow = TimeSpan.FromMinutes(30)  
    };  
});  

// In your ProductService  
public async Task<Product> GetProductAsync(string productId)  
{  
    return await _hybridCache.GetOrCreateAsync(  
        $"product-{productId}",  
        async () => await _db.Products.FindAsync(productId),  
        TimeSpan.FromMinutes(10) // In-memory expiration  
    );  
}  

Scenario 2: Preventing Cache Stampedes

During a flash sale, 1,000 requests hit a cache miss for "C# for Speed Demons." Instead of overwhelming the database, HybridCache ensures only one call fetches the data. The other 999 requests wait patiently for the result, avoiding downtime or crashes.

Scenario 3: Instant Cache Invalidation

When an admin updates the price of "ASP.NET Core Mastery," HybridCache removes the stale entry from both caching layers. The next request repopulates the cache with fresh data, ensuring accuracy without manual intervention.

public async Task UpdateProductAsync(Product updatedProduct)  
{  
    await _db.SaveChangesAsync();  
    await _hybridCache.RemoveAsync($"product-{updatedProduct.Id}");  
}  

Why Developers Are Excited

• Speed Meets Consistency: Serve data at in-memory speeds while keeping all servers in sync.
• Resilience Built-In: Automatic stampede protection and stale data avoidance.
• Simplified Code: No more juggling separate caching libraries—HybridCache unifies the experience.
• Cost Efficiency: Reduce database load by 80%+ during traffic spikes.

Real Impact for Real Applications

After integrating HybridCache, our hypothetical bookstore sees dramatic improvements:

• Page load times drop from 500ms to 20ms during peak hours.
• Database CPU usage plummets by 70%, saving cloud costs.
• Zero stale pricing errors post-updates, boosting customer trust.

Ready to Transform Your App?

HybridCache isn’t just a tool—it’s a paradigm shift for .NET applications. Whether you’re running an e-commerce platform, a financial dashboard, or a social network, this library empowers you to scale gracefully while keeping code clean and resilient.

The future of caching is here, and it’s hybrid. Dive into the official Microsoft documentation and start modernizing your applications today. Your databases (and users) will thank thank you!