1. A method for processing a data request in a caching system, comprising: receiving a data request; selecting at least one operational mode from one or more operational modes based on the data request and a predefined selection algorithm, wherein the one or more operational modes comprise at least one operational mode that is a programmable mode, and the predefined selection algorithm comprises at least one of: an internal cache arrangement, parametric programming, a self-determined caching strategy, or a type of requested processing; responsive to the selected operational mode, processing the data or delegating the data request across a common path structure for processing; and returning a response to the sender.