GitHub

What is github actions cache?

GitHub Actions cache is a feature that allows you to store and reuse dependencies or build outputs to speed up your workflow runs. By caching files and directories, you can reduce build times, lower resource consumption, and optimize CI/CD processes. The cache is keyed using unique identifiers, enabling multiple caches for different branches or workflows. Caches can be restored in future runs, avoiding the need to download or rebuild unchanged content. This improves efficiency and saves time during successive jobs in a workflow.

Advantage of github actions cache?

GitHub Actions cache optimizes CI/CD workflows by storing dependencies and build artifacts, reducing repeated workflow execution time. By caching these files, it accelerates subsequent runs, lowers resource usage, and minimizes download times. This leads to faster feedback loops and more efficient builds, especially in large projects. Additionally, it helps maintain consistency across environments and improves overall productivity by reducing repetitive tasks for developers.

Sample usage of github actions cache?

To use GitHub Actions cache, you can define a cache step in your workflow YAML file. For example:

name: CI

on: [push]

jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - name: Cache node modules
        uses: actions/cache@v2
        with:
          path: node_modules
          key: ${{ runner.os }}-node-${{ hashFiles('**/package-lock.json') }}
          restore-keys: |
            ${{ runner.os }}-node-
      - name: Install dependencies
        run: npm install

This caches node_modules based on the package-lock.json file.

Advanced application of github actions cache?

To optimize GitHub Actions using caching effectively, you can implement a strategy where you cache dependencies, build artifacts, and test results based on hash values of configuration files. Use a combination of path and key inputs in the cache action to create unique cache keys that change with significant updates, while allowing for fallback to previous caches. Additionally, consider splitting your caches (e.g., for dependencies, front-end, back-end) to minimize cache size and improve restore times. Regularly analyze cache hit/miss ratios to adjust caching strategies for maximum efficiency.

Find help with github actions cache?

To use caching in GitHub Actions, you can utilize the actions/cache action. Define a key for your cache, specify paths to cache (like dependencies), and set up a workflow using the following structure:

name: Cache Example

on: [push]

jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - name: Cache node modules
        uses: actions/cache@v2
        with:
          path: node_modules
          key: ${{ runner.os }}-node-${{ hashFiles('**/package-lock.json') }}
      - name: Install dependencies
        run: npm install

Ensure to adjust paths and keys as needed. For further guidance, consult the GitHub Actions cache documentation.