Cache-aside read & write path template

Components in this architecture diagram

• Read request
• In cache?
• Near expiry?
• Return cached value
• Return value & refresh in background
• Lock acquired?
• Wait briefly & retry cache
• Read from database
• Write to cache with TTL
• Release lock
• Write request
• Update database
• Delete cache key
• Publish invalidation to other nodes
• Write acknowledged

How to use this architecture diagram template

1. Click Open in the editor. The architecture diagram opens on a new page in FlowDiagram — nothing is uploaded and there is no sign-up.
2. Rename, add or delete shapes and drag them where you want; connectors stay attached as things move.
3. Drop in vendor logos from the library — 1,160 of them, including every AWS, Azure and Google Cloud service icon — or restyle it with the colour and theme controls.
4. Prefer text? Edit the Mermaid source below and paste it in through ☰ → Import diagram (see the Mermaid editor); it imports as an editable diagram.
5. Export to PNG, SVG or PDF, or press Ctrl+L for a link that carries the whole diagram.

Mermaid source

The whole template is the text below. Paste it into FlowDiagram, keep it in Git next to the code it describes, or hand it to an AI assistant to extend.

flowchart TD
  A((Read request)) --> B{In cache?}
  B -->|Yes| C{Near expiry?}
  C -->|No| D((Return cached value))
  C -->|Yes| E[Return value & refresh in background]
  B -->|No| F{Lock acquired?}
  F -->|No| G[Wait briefly & retry cache]
  G --> B
  F -->|Yes| H[Read from database]
  H --> I[Write to cache with TTL]
  I --> J[Release lock]
  J --> D
  K((Write request)) --> L[Update database]
  L --> M[Delete cache key]
  M --> N[Publish invalidation to other nodes]
  N --> O((Write acknowledged))

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