ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Page cache

Okay kiddo, let me explain what page cache is in a way that even a 5-year-old could understand.

Imagine you have a big book that you want to read. Now, instead of reading it all at once, you decide to read a little bit at a time. As you turn the page, you notice that it takes a bit of time for the new page to load. This is because the book needs to retrieve the new page from the shelf and bring it over to you.

Now, imagine that instead of putting the page back on the shelf after you finish reading it, you keep it close by. This way, when you want to turn to the next page, it's already there and you don't have to wait for it to load. This is exactly what page cache does!

When you browse the internet or open a file on your computer, the information is temporarily stored in the page cache so that when you access it again, it's already there and doesn't take as long to load. It's like keeping the pages of the book you're reading within arm's reach so that you can turn them easily and quickly.

The page cache is like a little helper that makes your computer or phone work faster by keeping information close by so that you don't have to wait for it every time you need it. Hopefully, that helps explain what page cache is in a way that even a 5-year-old could understand.