How does Navigator/Communicator cache data?

Netscape Navigator and Netscape Communicator store cached data in exactly the same way. Hereafter, both will be referred to as "Netscape."

Netscape stores every "piece" of data as a separate and distinct cache file. A piece of data is not equal to a single web page. Rather, one web page has multiple pieces of data, one representing each image, sound, etc. This page, for example, has nine pieces of data, and therefore, nine different cache files are created for it.

Via Netscape's preferences, you can configure the maximum size of the entire cache. Once this threshold is reached, Netscape will remove the oldest cache files as it adds new ones. Generally, a maximum cache setting of between 2 and 5 megabytes is optimal.

By default, Netscape stores its cache files in the Preferences folder in the System Folder. The exact location varies depending on the version of Netscape. Older versions store the cache files in:

System Folder:Preferences:Netscape:Cache ƒ

The most recent version of Netscape prefers to store the cache files in:

System Folder:Preferences:Netscape Users:User Name:Cache ƒ