What is the purpose of a tile cache in ArcGIS?

A tile cache in ArcGIS serves the purpose of enhancing performance with pre-rendered map images. When a tile cache is created, it generates images of map tiles at various zoom levels, which can be quickly served to users when they request specific areas of a map. This pre-rendering means that instead of rendering the data on-the-fly each time a user interacts with the map or zooms in on an area, the application can quickly deliver the already prepared images. This process significantly reduces load times and improves user experience, making it particularly useful for web maps where performance is critical.

Other options do not align with the primary function of a tile cache. Storing raw data for analysis pertains more to data management and not the performance enhancement aspect. Creating backups of user settings touches upon data preservation rather than map rendering efficiencies. Encrypting sensitive information is related to security measures and not the performance of map serving. Therefore, option B accurately reflects the primary role of a tile cache in ArcGIS.