How to clear cache memory using JavaScript?
Last Updated :
30 Sep, 2024
Clearing cache memory in JavaScript refers to managing or removing stored data like images, files, and resources that browsers save for faster loading. Although JavaScript cannot directly clear the browser cache, developers often use cache-busting techniques to ensure users receive updated content.
Below are the approaches to clear cache memory using JavaScript:
The Cache-Control Meta Tags approach uses HTML meta tags (cache-control, expires, and pragma) to instruct the browser not to store cached data. By disabling caching, it ensures that the browser always loads the latest version of the webpage content.
Syntax:
<meta http-equiv='cache-control' content='no-cache'>
<meta http-equiv='expires' content='0'>
<meta http-equiv='pragma' content='no-cache'>
Example: To demonstrate clearing cache memory using cache control meta tags.
HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="cache-control" content="no-cache">
<meta http-equiv="expires" content="0">
<meta http-equiv="pragma" content="no-cache">
<title>Page Title</title>
</head>
<body>
<!-- Page content -->
</body>
</html>
Output:
The meta tags included in the HTML code instruct the browser not to cache the webpage.
As a result, when loading the webpage, the browser will not cache its contents.
while ensuring that the page is always loaded without relying on cached data.
Method 2: Versioning File References
Versioning File References involves appending a version parameter to file URLs (e.g., script.js?version=1.0). When the file content changes, the version number is updated, forcing the browser to fetch the latest file instead of using the cached version.
Example: To demonstrate clearing cache memory using version file reference.
HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<script src="filename.js?version=1.0"></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css?version=1.0">
<title>Page Title</title>
</head>
<body>
<!-- Page content -->
</body>
</html>
Output:
By appending a version parameter to file references (filename.js?version=1.0
and styles.css?version=1.0
),
The browser fetches the latest version of the files, bypassing cached content.
Therefore, any updates made to the files will be reflected in the browser's rendering of the page.
NOTE:
- A browser is designed in such a way that it saves all the temporary cache.
- It is so because cache memory is the main reason for the website to load faster.
- Hence there is no direct way to permanently delete it's cache memory unless certain codings are changed in your HTML code.
- There may be few other ways to achieve this, but these two are the easiest and most effective one.
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