What are the best practices for using ETags in web development?

What are the best practices for using ETags in web development?

ETags are great for caching and reducing server load. Best practices include using strong ETags, ensuring they are unique, and updating them when content changes.

How do I generate ETags for my resources?

You can generate ETags based on the content hash of your resources or use timestamps. Just ensure they reflect the resource's state.

What should I do if my ETags are not working as expected?

Check if your server is correctly sending ETags in the response headers and ensure your caching strategy aligns with ETag usage.

Can ETags improve performance for APIs?

Yes, ETags can significantly improve API performance by allowing clients to cache responses and reduce unnecessary data transfers.

Are there any downsides to using ETags?

One downside is the complexity they add to your caching strategy. If not managed properly, they can lead to stale data.