In this article we are discussing about Magento cache management and Magento index management

First of all, understand about:

What is a cache memory on server?

Cache memory is a place to store web pages (That have been accessed by users) temporarily, any user is trying to access a web page that has already been stored on cache on the cache server will be sent the stored version instead of downloading the web page again.

• Cache memory makes your store run many times faster. That means request for that data can be saved faster.

• It can reduce load on servers. Requests on the server to see the pages will just read from cache instead of connecting the database and the original source if that page stored in the database.

• It reduces the internet traffic

Why you need to manage cache memory?

Sometimes you make some changes from the backend, but you don’t see any changes on the store front-end pages (some cases you need to manage the cache: installing the extension, Editing the style, colors, etc.).
This happens because you are seeing the saved files on the server (cache files) without connecting the databases and the codes that you’ve changed.

How to manage the Cache Memory on your store?

Go to the backend > System > Cache Management.

There is a set of cache type listed, They are:

Configuration:The saved settings in the Cache files for the store and extensions.

Layouts: cache the XML files which compiling the pages.

Blocks HTML Output: Magento saves all block pages and html files which can be cacheable in Cache files.

Translations: This part of the Cache files stores the files that responsible for the translation the store to another language (files in this case will be CSV files).

Collections Data & EAV types and attributes: Here contains data that needs instead of connecting the database every time.

Web Services Configuration: Here cached data that come from external websites, for avoiding waiting APIs to send the data

Actions on cache files:
You can check one of the types, or all of them to apply one of the action:

• No Change – No action will be taken that will affect all aspects.
• Refresh: When you see the orange color in front of one of the cache types, that means cache need be cleaned, but all enabled aspects will remain enabled.
• Disabled – Disable all caches in one type of the cache types of all of them. This mode is used by developers to see the changes
• Enabled – Will enable all caches, and your store will be many times faster if it’s “Enabled”.

What is the difference between  “Flush Magento Cache” and “Flush Cache Storage”?

Sometimes the cache memory shared with other applications. “Flush Magento Cache” removes only those entries that Magento reliably tracks as its own. “Flush Cache Storage” clears everything but might affect other applications if they’re using it.

Flush Catalog Images Cache:
Sometimes when you change the images and nothing happens, try in this case to “Flush Catalog Images Cache”, it will clear the images in the cache and the image urls.

Flush JavaScript/CSS Cache:
It will clear JavaScript and CSS files in the theme and the static blocks.

Magento index management

How to manage index in Magento?

Magento indexes most of its data in order to access it faster. When you make changes to your store, Such as updating some of your products, you need to re-index the data so that the changes can show up on your front end.

To access the Magento Index Management section, you need to log in to the Magento admin area, and go to the System tab > Index Management. All indexes that require re-indexing will have a REINDEX REQUIRED red status. All indexes that are up to date will have a READY green status.

When you perform a Magento Installation, none of the data will be indexed at first and you will have to re-index it. This is very important if you have installed Magento with simple data. Your product will not show on your Magento front-end until you re-index your data.

When you login for the first time, you will see a message notifying you that:

“One or more of the Indexes are not up to date: Product Attributes, Product Prices, Catalog URL Rewrites, Product Flat Data, Category Flat Data, Category Products, Catalog Search Index, Stock Status, Tag Aggregation Data. Click here to go to Index Management and rebuild required indexes.”

That message will be displayed at the top of the dashboard

To go to Index Management, you can simply click the Index Management link in the message. Once there, click Select All to select all indexes and then next to the Re-index Data drop-down option click

When the re-indexing process is completed, you will receive a confirmation and the status of all indexes will be changed to READY:

Now you can go to your store’s front end and see your updated products.