What does caching do in MuleSoft applications?

Caching in MuleSoft applications plays a crucial role in improving performance by storing frequently accessed data. When data is cached, it is temporarily stored in memory, allowing applications to quickly retrieve this data without the need to repeatedly call an external system or resource. This significantly reduces the response time for users, as accessing data from memory is much faster than fetching it from a database or an external API.

By utilizing caching, applications can minimize latency and reduce the load on backend systems, which in turn can lead to better resource utilization and cost savings. Moreover, frequently accessed data, such as user profiles or product catalogs, can be served efficiently, allowing for smoother application performance and enhanced user experiences.

In contrast, while data redundancy, API authentication, and data consistency are essential concepts in application design, they do not directly relate to the primary function of caching, which is to enhance performance via quick access to frequently used data.