Write-through pattern in Redis - Time & Space Complexity

Time Complexity: Write-through pattern

O(n)

Understanding Time Complexity

We want to understand how the time it takes to save data changes as the amount of data grows when using the write-through pattern in Redis.

Specifically, how does writing to both cache and database affect performance as data size increases?

Scenario Under Consideration

Analyze the time complexity of the following Redis write-through code snippet.

-- Write-through cache update
redis.call('SET', key, value)  -- write to cache
database_write(key, value)     -- write to database
return 'OK'
    

This code writes data to the Redis cache first, then writes the same data to the database, ensuring both are updated immediately.

Identify Repeating Operations

In this snippet, there are no loops or recursion. The operations happen once per write.

• Primary operation: Two write commands: one to Redis cache, one to the database.
• How many times: Once per data write request.

How Execution Grows With Input

Each write involves two steps regardless of data size. So, if you write 10 items, you do 20 writes total; for 100 items, 200 writes; for 1000 items, 2000 writes.

Input Size (n)	Approx. Operations
10	20
100	200
1000	2000

Pattern observation: The number of operations grows directly with the number of writes; doubling the writes doubles the operations.

Final Time Complexity

Time Complexity: O(n)

This means the time to complete all writes grows linearly with the number of items you write.

Common Mistake

[X] Wrong: "Writing to cache and database at the same time means the time stays the same no matter how many writes happen."

[OK] Correct: Each write still happens one after another for each item, so more items mean more total work and longer time.

Interview Connect

Understanding how write-through caching affects time helps you explain trade-offs between speed and data consistency in real systems.

Self-Check

"What if we changed the write-through pattern to write-back caching? How would the time complexity change?"

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the write-through pattern in Redis caching?

easy

A. To delete data from the cache when the database is updated

B. To update only the cache and delay database writes

C. To read data only from the cache without updating the database

D. To update both the cache and the database at the same time

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand write-through pattern basics

   The write-through pattern means writing data to the cache and database simultaneously to keep them in sync.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct behavior in Redis context

   In Redis, this pattern ensures cache is updated immediately when the database changes, avoiding stale data.

3. Final Answer:

   To update both the cache and the database at the same time -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Write-through = update cache + database [OK]

Hint: Write-through updates cache and DB together [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking write-through updates only cache
• Confusing write-through with write-back pattern
• Assuming cache is updated after database asynchronously

2. Which Redis command sequence correctly implements a write-through cache update when saving a user profile with key user:123 and value {"name":"Alice"}?

easy

A. DEL user:123 then SET user:123 '{"name":"Alice"}'

B. GET user:123 then SET user:123 '{"name":"Alice"}'

C. SET user:123 '{"name":"Alice"}' followed by DB update

D. SET user:123 '{"name":"Alice"}' only, no DB update

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify write-through steps

   Write-through requires writing to cache (Redis) and database together.

2. Step 2: Match Redis commands to write-through

   Using SET updates Redis cache; followed by DB update ensures both are in sync.

3. Final Answer:

   SET user:123 '{"name":"Alice"}' followed by DB update -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   SET + DB update = write-through [OK]

Hint: SET cache then update DB for write-through [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Only updating cache without DB
• Deleting cache before setting without DB update
• Getting cache before setting without DB write

3. Consider this pseudo-code using write-through pattern:

cache.SET('item:1', 'value1')
database.UPDATE('item:1', 'value1')
result = cache.GET('item:1')

What will result contain after execution?

medium

A. null

B. 'value1'

C. Old cached value

D. Error due to missing database read

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze cache write

   The cache is set to 'value1' for key 'item:1' before database update.

2. Step 2: Analyze cache read

   Reading from cache immediately after setting returns the new value 'value1'.

3. Final Answer:

   'value1' -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Cache GET after SET returns new value [OK]

Hint: GET after SET returns updated cache value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming cache GET returns null if DB updated
• Thinking old cached value remains after SET
• Expecting error without explicit DB read

4. You implemented write-through caching but notice stale data in Redis after database updates. Which mistake likely causes this?

medium

A. Updating database but forgetting to update Redis cache

B. Updating Redis cache but not the database

C. Using GET instead of SET to update cache

D. Deleting database entries without clearing cache

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify cause of stale cache

   If database updates but cache is not updated, cache holds old data causing staleness.

2. Step 2: Match mistake to write-through pattern

   Write-through requires cache update on every DB write; missing cache update breaks this.

3. Final Answer:

   Updating database but forgetting to update Redis cache -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Missing cache update causes stale data [OK]

Hint: Always update cache when DB changes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Updating cache only without DB
• Using GET to update cache instead of SET
• Not clearing cache on DB deletes

5. You want to implement a write-through cache in Redis for a product catalog. Which approach best ensures data consistency and minimal stale reads?

hard

A. On product update, update both Redis cache and database synchronously in the same operation

B. On product update, update the database first, then delete the Redis cache entry

C. On product update, update only the database and rely on cache expiration to refresh

D. On product update, write to Redis cache first, then update the database asynchronously

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand write-through consistency needs

   Write-through requires cache and database to be updated together to avoid stale reads.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options for consistency

   Updating both synchronously ensures cache always reflects latest DB state, minimizing stale data.

3. Final Answer:

   On product update, update both Redis cache and database synchronously in the same operation -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Synchronous cache + DB update = consistent write-through [OK]

Hint: Update cache and DB together synchronously [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Updating cache before DB asynchronously causing race conditions
• Deleting cache instead of updating it
• Relying only on cache expiration for freshness