Prefetch

What is prefetching?

Prefetching refers to the preloading of resources before they are explicitly requested by the user. The aim is to User Experience by reducing the loading times of websites and other online resources.

The The core of prefetching is that certain elements such as images, scripts or entire web pages are loaded in the background before the user accesses them. By storing these resources in memory, the website can react more quickly and display content promptly when it is actually needed.

Prefetching allows different elements to be loaded in advance, including DNS lookups and cache data. This technique is particularly useful in complex website structures or web apps where several resources build on each other and fast loading times are crucial.

Application of prefetching

The Application of prefetching in web development is diverse and specifically aimed at optimizing loading times and thus the user experience. A typical use case is the pre-loading of resources that are likely to be required on the next page. This can be done in a navigationFunnel or after a login page can be particularly effective.

A frequently used scenario is the prefetching of important documents or media content to ensure that they are available without delay. Furthermore Link prefetching which is based on the prediction of which links the user will click next. This means that relevant resources are already preloaded and are available immediately when the user opens the corresponding page.

Furthermore DNS prefetching and Cache prefetching an important role. With DNS prefetching DNS lookups are performed before the resource is actually requested, which can significantly reduce the time required to call up the domain name. Cache prefetching moves relevant data in advance to a closer cache to further reduce access times.

Resource consumption and browser compatibility

The application of Prefetching can have a significant impact on the resource consumption of systems. When loading additional resources that may not be required until later, the demand for computing power and memory increases. This can lead to the current page being slowed down if prefetching is not optimally implemented. Another aspect is the impact on internet bandwidth and the associated costs, especially for large websites or data-intensive applications.

Compatibility with different browsers is a decisive factor for the Success of prefetching. Common Browser like Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Internet Explorer largely support prefetching mechanisms. However, it is important to consider the specific settings and potential of the respective Browser as this can influence the effectiveness and performance of prefetching.

Difference between prefetching and preloading

Prefetching and Preloading are two techniques for optimizing loading times, but they differ in their purpose and method. While prefetching aims to load data for future navigation steps in advance, prefetching concentrates on Preloading to the prioritized loading of important resources for the current page.

At Prefetching resources such as HTML files, scripts or images are loaded in the background before the user requests them. This is often done based on a prediction of which pages or elements the user will need next. In contrast to this Preloading is designed to provide critical resources of the current page as quickly as possible. This can include CSS files, fonts or other important scripts that are directly necessary for the correct rendering of the page.

Both techniques aim to improve the User Experience and optimize the loading speed. While prefetching focuses on navigation and data flow in the long term, preloading focuses on the immediate availability of essential resources. These differences determine how and when the respective techniques should be used in order to achieve the best possible performance.

Importance for SEO and marketing

The Prefetching plays an essential role in SEO and marketing, as optimized loading times directly influence the user experience and therefore also the positioning in search engine results. Fast loading times are an important Ranking-factor for search engines such as Google, as they increase the likelihood that users will stay on the page longer and browse the offer.bern.

Through the targeted use of techniques such as DNS prefetching or Link prefetching can significantly increase the efficiency of websites. DNS prefetching, for example, makes it possible to resolve domain names in advance, which reduces the time required for further queries. This is seen as a positive aspect by search engines and can help to improve rankings.

From a marketing perspective, prefetching ensures that relevant content is available more quickly. This not only increases conversion rates, but also user satisfaction. In this way, companies can effectively strengthen their online presence and increase the likelihood of users becoming customers. A well-thought-out use of prefetching can therefore offer significant benefits in terms of visibility and user retention.

Prefetching in computer architecture

Prefetching in computer architecture refers to the prefetching of data into the cache before it is actually required by the processor. This procedure aims to shorten the access speed and reduce latency times, which is particularly advantageous for complex computing operations and the execution of extensive programs.

A practical example is the use of prefetching in the DDR memorywhere frequently required data blocks are preloaded into the cache in order to increase processing speed. Another area of application is the boot process of operating systems, where critical system programs and data are loaded into the memory in advance to speed up the boot process.

Modernity Computer architectures often work with techniques such as Branch Predictionwhich predicts and preloads future CPU instructions and memory addresses. This can reduce the number of clock cycles required by up to 30%. Overall, prefetching in computer architecture helps to increase the efficiency of hardware and software, enabling faster and smoother processing of data.