Change record status: 
Project: 
Introduced in branch: 
7.x-2.x
Introduced in version: 
7.x-2.0-beta4
Description: 

Previously, content downloaded via HTTP was cached in the database. This could cause data size issues when you used a cache backend with a limited size, like memcache for example.
Data from a HTTP source is now cached on the file system, while the HTTP headers are still saved in the database.

FeedsHTTPCache class

For the cache bin 'cache_feeds_http' a cache class called 'FeedsHTTPCache' is added. This class is responsible for keeping the cached data in the database in sync with the cached data on the file system. Should you want to use a different class for the cache_feeds_http bin, it is ensured that the downloaded data will still be cached on the file system. Be aware though that in this situation cached files are not immediately cleaned up when you clear caches. To work around this problem, Feeds will check each six hours if there are orphaned files in the cache directory and cleans them up if there are (you can optionally in- or decrease the check interval by setting the 'feeds_sync_cache_feeds_http_interval' variable).

feeds_http_file_cache_dir variable

You can change the location where cached files are stored by setting the 'feeds_http_file_cache_dir' variable. By default the cache directory is 'private://feeds/cache' (or 'public://feeds/cache' if you haven't a private file system configured).
See also: Variable 'feeds_http_file_cache_dir' added

Summary

  1. HTTP headers of downloaded content is still cached in the database, in the 'cache_feeds_http' table.
  2. The downloaded content itself is cached on the file system, by default in private://feeds/cache (public://feeds/cache if there is no private file system).
  3. The cache class FeedsHTTPCache keeps the cached data in the database in sync with the cached data on the file system.
  4. You can change the cache directory by setting the 'feeds_http_file_cache_dir' variable.
  5. Every six hours, Feeds will check for orphaned files in the cache directory and removes files that don't match with the cache records in the database.
  6. You can change the interval in which Feeds checks for orphaned files in the cache directory by setting the 'feeds_sync_cache_feeds_http_interval' variable.
Impacts: 
Site builders, administrators, editors
Module developers
Updates Done (doc team, etc.)
Online documentation: 
Not done
Theming guide: 
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Module developer documentation: 
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Examples project: 
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Coder Review: 
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Coder Upgrade: 
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Other: 
Other updates done