METHODS FOR INCREASING CACHE CAPACITY UTILIZING DELTA DATA

Methods of increasing cache capacity are provided. A method of increasing cache capacity is provided wherein original data are received in a cache with access to one or more variants of the original data being required, but the variants do not reside in the cache. Access is provided to the variants by using one or more delta data operable to be applied against the original data to produce the variants. Moreover, a method of reducing cache storage requirements is provided wherein original data and variants of the original data are identified and located within the cache. Further, delta data are produced by noting one or more differences between the original data and the variants, with the variants being purged from the cache. Furthermore, a method of producing derivatives from an original data is provided wherein the original data and variants of the original data are identified. Delta data are produced by recording the difference between each variant and the original data, with the delta data and the original data being retained in the cache.