<h1>Why You Need <code>sccache</code></h1>
<p>As the maintainer of a <a href="https://writewithharper.com">reasonably popular open source project</a> written in Rust, I find myself cloning PRs and swapping between branches dozens of times a day.
In doing so, I often blow away Rust's compilation cache either via <code>git clean -xf .</code> or by changing dependency versions.</p>
<p>Having a build cache that is separate from the project is a huge win for compile times, which is why I use <a href="https://github.com/mozilla/sccache"><code>sccache</code></a>.</p>
<p>For those unaware, <code>sccache</code> is a build tool for C, C++ and Rust projects that stands in front of the compiler.
If a given file's hash is the same across calls to the compiler, <code>sccache</code> reuses the previous result.
This cache is compiler–and project agnostic.
In my case, it sits in <code>$HOME/.scccache</code>, but you can set it up with AWS S3, Redis or a myriad of other options.</p>
<p>If a dependency is cached from a compile in one project, it is available for a build in another.</p>
<p>In short: you need <code>sccache</code> if you are frequently swapping between branches with similar (but not identical) dependencies or expect to frequently delete Rust's disk cache.</p>
<h2>Why You Don't Need <code>sccache</code></h2>
<p>If you are working in a single branch on a project whose dependencies remain somewhat stable, <code>sccache</code> might actually increase your compile time.
Since <code>sccache</code> has to hit the disk (or even the network) regardless of whether it is a cache hit, a little bit of latency is added.
If you expect most compiles to be cache hits or most compiles to be cache misses, <code>sccache</code> is no more useful than the built-in caching <code>cargo</code> provides.</p>
<p>In that case you should not use <code>sccache</code>.</p>
<h2>Wrap-Up</h2>
<p>Regardless of whether you install <code>sccache</code> on your machine, it is a neat little technology.
I would recommend the curious reader take a look for themselves.
You might be inspired.</p>

Why You Need Sccache

Back in my day, we used math for autocomplete.

<p>Back in my day, we used math for autocomplete.</p>

Markov Chains Are the Original Language Models

It didn't work for me, and if you reading this, it probably won't work for you either.

<p>It didn't work for me, and if you reading this, it probably won't work for you either.</p>

Do Not Type your Notes

i_spoke_at_wordcamp_u.s._in_2025

<h1>I Spoke at WordCamp U.S. in 2025</h1>
<p>I had the incredible opportunity to speak at WordCamp U.S. at <a href="https://ma.tt">Matt</a>'s suggestion.
I met a number of wonderful, kind, and inviting people.
It was my first WordCamp and first conference talk, so I was naturally nervous.
The community made it feel easy.</p>
<iframe width="100%" height="400" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/e-jYf8ZV_SA?si=VDPWlTx0kV8lVJTU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>I spoke about how we can use machine learning to improve the quality of our applications without big capital expenditures.
In fact, I argue that capital expenditures are often a step in the wrong direction.</p>

It was my first WordCamp and first conference talk, so I was naturally nervous.

<p>It was my first WordCamp and first conference talk, so I was naturally nervous.</p>

Elijah Potter

I Spoke at WordCamp U.S. in 2025

Other Stuff

Why You Need Sccache

Markov Chains Are the Original Language Models

Do Not Type your Notes