System Design Building Blocks: Web Storage

🔑Web storage is a place where we store data in an application. It can be used for storing user settings, caching data, and sharing data across screens within the same session.

💡Local storage is a persistent storage solution with a limited capacity of around 5 megabytes per origin. It is suitable for storing small amounts of data, such as user preferences and application data.

🕐Session storage is similar to local storage but automatically clears data at the end of the session. It is ideal for caching data and sharing data across different screens in the same session.

🔍IndexDB is a more powerful storage option that allows for storing larger amounts of structured data. It is suitable for applications that require offline access and complex data querying.

✅When choosing a web storage option, consider factors such as data size, persistence, and sharing requirements. Each type of storage has its own advantages and limitations.

What is web storage?

—Web storage is a place where we store data in an application. It can be used for various purposes, such as storing user preferences, caching data, and sharing data across screens within the same session.

What is the difference between local storage and session storage?

—Local storage is a persistent storage option that retains data even after the browser is closed, while session storage clears data at the end of the session. Local storage is ideal for storing user preferences and application data, while session storage is useful for caching data and sharing data across different screens within the same session.

When should I use indexDB?

—IndexDB is a more powerful storage option that allows for storing larger amounts of structured data. It is suitable for applications that require offline access and complex data querying. If you need advanced storage capabilities and have the resources to handle it, consider using IndexDB.

What are the limitations of local storage?

—Local storage has a limited capacity of around 5 megabytes per origin. It is not suitable for storing large amounts of data or binary data types. Local storage operations are synchronous, which can impact performance, and it is not available inside web or service workers.

How do I choose the right web storage option for my application?

—When choosing a web storage option, consider factors such as data size, persistence, and sharing requirements. If you need persistent storage with a small data size, use local storage. If you need data to be cleared at the end of the session or shared across screens within the same session, use session storage. If you require offline access and complex data querying, consider using IndexDB.

00:00Introduction to the video series on system design building blocks.

00:41Explanation of web storage and its importance in an application.

02:23Overview of URL search parameters as a storage option and its limitations.

05:59Explanation of cookies as a storage option for session management and user personalization.

09:43Introduction to local storage as a persistent storage solution with limited capacity.

13:02Overview of session storage as a storage option for data sharing and caching within a session.

15:40Introduction to indexDB as a more powerful storage option for large-scale data storage and offline access.

17:15Considerations for choosing the right web storage option based on data size, persistence, and sharing requirements.