Overview
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`CRM_Utils_System::flushCache()` calls `CRM_Utils_Cache::singleton()->flush()`.
In `5.3`, this triggered a cascading effect; in development of `5.4.alpha`,
some of the cascades were overzealous and we revised to get tighter control
over cascading.
With an aim to being conservative and reproducing old behavior, I previously
patched `5.4.alpha` to add several extra flushes and simulate the old cascades.
However, it wasn't really as conservative as hoped -- because the "old
behavior" depended on the environment. This patch brings us closer the "old
behavior".
See also: https://lab.civicrm.org/dev/core/issues/284
Before (Behavior in version <=`5.3`)
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On systems with memory-backed caches, `flushCache()` had an aggressive
cascading side-effect where several named caches (`settings`, etc) were also
flushed.
On systems with a default configuration (SQL+ArrayCache), `flushCache()` had a
very limited cascading effect -- it *only cleared the in-process ArrayCache*.
The bulk of the cache content was preserved in SQL.
Before (Behavior in version ~= `5.4.alpha`)
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To simulate the cascading effect, `flushCache()` explicitly flushes a
half-dozen individual caches. (These half-dozen are chosen to match the old
cascade list and exclude some new things which would problematic.)
On systems with memory-backed caches, this reproduces the aggressive cascading
effect.
On systems with a default configuration (SQL+ArrayCache), this amplifies the
flushing -- because it also destroys the underlying SQL caches.
This has the side-effect of significantly degrading performance of the test
suite.
After (Behavior with patch)
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`CRM_Utils_System::flushCache` calls `CRM_Utils_Cache::singleton()->flush()`.
To simulate the cascading effect, `flushCache()` explicitly flushes a
half-dozen individual caches... *but only on memory-backed* systems.
On systems with memory-backed caches, this reproduces the aggressive cascading
effect.
On systems with a default configuration (SQL+ArrayCache), this is closer to the
old behavior. The bulk of the cache remains available in SQL.
Based on local spot-checking, this restores performance of the test suite.
Comments
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Deep down, I don't really believe the cascading effect is a good thing. At
some point, I'd rather just remove these bits. But in absence of a crystal
ball to predict the side-effects of that, I think it's good to find a better
approximation of the old behavior.