Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Classified as cash and cash equivalents
Cash and interest bearing deposits	$ 203,665cdns_CashAndInterestBearingDeposits	$ 188,088cdns_CashAndInterestBearingDeposits
Money market funds	728,496us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsAtCarryingValue	345,872us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsAtCarryingValue
Bank certificates of deposit	0	2,300
Total cash and cash equivalents	$ 932,161	$ 536,260	$ 726,357	$ 601,602

Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

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A savings certificate entitling the Entity (that is, bearer) to receive interest at an established maturity date, based upon a fixed interest rate. A certificate of deposit may be issued in any denomination. Certificates of deposit are generally issued by commercial banks and, therefore, insured by the FDIC (up to the prescribed limit). Certificates of deposit generally restrict holders from withdrawing funds on demand without the incurrence of penalties. Generally, only certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less qualify as cash equivalents. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. As a related example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three-years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.

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