How do I use the Cache-Control header?

What is the Cache-Control header and why is it important?

The Cache-Control header is an HTTP header used to specify caching policies for browsers and intermediate caches. It's important because it helps control how and when resources are cached, improving load times and reducing server load.

How do I set the Cache-Control header in my web application?

You can set the Cache-Control header in your web application by configuring your server settings or by adding it in your application code. For example, in an Express.js app, you can use res.set('Cache-Control', 'no-cache').

What are some common directives I can use with Cache-Control?

Common directives include no-cache, no-store, public, private, max-age, and must-revalidate. Each directive controls caching behavior in different ways.

Can you give me an example of using Cache-Control with max-age?

Sure! If you set Cache-Control: max-age=3600, it tells the browser to cache the resource for 1 hour (3600 seconds) before checking for a new version.