What are HTTP caching headers and how do they work?

What are HTTP caching headers and how do they work?

HTTP caching headers are directives sent by the server to control how responses are cached by browsers and intermediate proxies. They help improve performance by reducing the need to fetch the same resources repeatedly.

Can you give me examples of common caching headers?

Sure! Common caching headers include Cache-Control, Expires, ETag, and Last-Modified. Each serves a different purpose in managing cache behavior.

How does the Cache-Control header work?

The Cache-Control header specifies directives for caching mechanisms in both requests and responses. For example, Cache-Control: no-cache means the response must be revalidated with the server before being used.

What happens if I don't use caching headers?

Without caching headers, browsers may not cache resources effectively, leading to slower load times and increased server load as resources are fetched repeatedly.