Method and apparatus for loading a cache with data with a subsequent purge of stale cache information

摘要

A mechanism is provided for the acquisition of a data set key prior to starting a populate. This key, referred to as the cache epoch, is obtained from cache implementation by the cache manager that is performing the populate. The returned cache epoch is kept in the cache as the new pending epoch value. The cache manager then proceeds to load the cache with the new data set. As the data is added, the cache associates the data with the pending epoch value. When the populate is complete, the cache manager commits the acquired epoch in the cache and, subsequently, the cache proceeds to purge all data that is not part of the committed epoch.