Entity Framework Caching with the Repository Pattern

Question

If I want to implement caching when I am using the repository pattern and the Entity Framework, couldn't I just do some simple logic outside of the Entity Framework to handle the caching?

E.g.

if(Cache[ProductsKey] != null)
{
    return ConvertToProducts(Cache[ProductsKey]);
}
else
{
    var products = repository.Products;
    Cache[ProductsKey] =  products;
    return products;
}

It seems like a lot of people are over-complicating this. Or is doing it this way going to be limiting in some way?

Answer 1

I prefer my repository to be clean. I prefer implementing caching in my service layer if needed.

So i 100% agree with your sample. Your repository returns products (by running query) and you can cache it or not in other layers.

P.S.: I assume that you start your object context when it's needed(session start) and dispose it when session ends.