What are the differences between Cache-Control and Expires headers?

What are the differences between Cache-Control and Expires headers?

Cache-Control is a HTTP header that specifies directives for caching mechanisms in both requests and responses, while Expires is a header that provides a specific date and time after which the response is considered stale.

Can you give me examples of how to use both headers?

Sure! For Cache-Control, you might use Cache-Control: no-cache to ensure the content is always revalidated. For Expires, you could use Expires: Wed, 21 Oct 2025 07:28:00 GMT to set a specific expiration date.

Which one is preferred in modern web development?

Cache-Control is generally preferred in modern web development because it offers more flexibility and control over caching behavior compared to Expires.

Are there any compatibility issues with older browsers?

Yes, older browsers may not fully support Cache-Control, so it's often recommended to use both headers for maximum compatibility.