Memcached with PHP: Basics & Quick Tutorial

Why Use Memcached with PHP?

Memcached is a high-performance, distributed memory object caching system. It speeds up dynamic web applications by offloading database load through caching data and objects in RAM. By temporarily storing frequently accessed data in memory, Memcached reduces the frequency and latency of data retrieval from slower back-end storage layers like relational databases.

Using Memcached with PHP can significantly improve the performance and scalability of web applications. By caching frequently queried data, Memcached reduces the load on the database, leading to faster response times for users.

Memcached is beneficial in PHP-based applications that rely heavily on database interactions, such as those using content management systems (CMS) or e-commerce platforms. Caching query results, session data, or user-specific information allows the application to retrieve data from memory rather than querying the database repeatedly.

PHP offers native Memcached support through extensions, making it easy to integrate with existing systems. This integration allows developers to store objects, arrays, or even serialized data in Memcached, providing flexibility and control over cache expiration and eviction policies. 

In this article:

• Why Use Memcached with PHP?
• Quick Tutorial: Getting Started with the PHP Memcached Library
• Best Practices for Using Memcached in PHP

Quick Tutorial: Getting Started with the PHP Memcached Library 

To begin using the PHP Memcached library, you need to follow a few steps to install and configure both the Memcached server and the PHP Memcached extension. Below is a step-by-step guide to getting started:

1. Install the Memcached Server

Before you can use the PHP Memcached extension, you first need to install the Memcached server. The installation process varies depending on your operating system.

For Debian/Ubuntu:

$> sudo apt-get install memcached

For CentOS/Red Hat:

$> sudo yum install memcached

For macOS (using Homebrew):

$> brew install memcached

2. Install the PHP Memcached Extension

Next, you will need to install the PHP Memcached extension that allows PHP to interact with the Memcached server.

For Debian/Ubuntu:

$> sudo apt-get install php-memcached

For CentOS/Red Hat:

$> sudo yum install php-memcached

For macOS (using PECL):

$> pecl install memcached

3. Enable the PHP Memcached Extension

Once the extension is installed, enable it in your PHP configuration. Open the php.ini file and add the following line:

extension=memcached.so

After making the change, restart your web server to apply the configuration.

4. Basic Usage Example

Once everything is set up, you can begin using Memcached in your PHP application. Below is an example of how to store and retrieve data in Memcached:

// Create a Memcached instance
$memcached = new Memcached();
$memcached->addServer('localhost', 11211);

// Create an employee object
$employee = [
    'id' => 10099333,
    'name' => 'John Smith',
    'salary' => 5000
];

// Store in cache
$cacheKey = 'employee_10099333';
$success = $memcached->set($cacheKey, $employee, 10); // 10 seconds TTL

if ($success) {
    echo "Employee data cached successfully (expires in 10 seconds)\n";
} else {
echo "Failed to cache employee data\n";
}

// Retrieve from cache
$cachedEmployee = $memcached->get($cacheKey);
echo "Retrieved Employee Data from Cache:\n";
var_dump($cachedEmployee);

Dragonfly: The Next-Generation In-Memory Data Store

Dragonfly is a modern, source-available, multi-threaded, Redis-compatible in-memory data store that stands out by delivering unmatched performance and efficiency. Designed from the ground up to disrupt existing legacy technologies, Dragonfly redefines what an in-memory data store can achieve. With Dragonfly, you get the familiar API of Redis without the performance bottlenecks, making it an essential tool for modern cloud architectures aiming for peak performance and cost savings. Migrating from Redis to Dragonfly requires zero or minimal code changes.

Key Advancements of Dragonfly

• Multi-Threaded Architecture: Efficiently leverages modern multi-core processors to maximize throughput and minimize latency.
• Unmatched Performance: Achieves 25x better performance than Redis, ensuring your applications run with extremely high throughput and consistent latency.
• Cost Efficiency: Reduces hardware and operational costs without sacrificing performance, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious enterprises.
• Redis API Compatibility: A seamless, drop-in replacement that maintains 100% compatibility with existing Redis applications while eliminating performance bottlenecks.
• Innovative Design: Built to scale vertically and horizontally, providing a robust solution for rapidly growing data needs.

Dragonfly Cloud is a fully managed service from the creators of Dragonfly, handling all operations and delivering effortless scaling so you can focus on what matters without worrying about in-memory data infrastructure anymore.