What are cache headers and why are they important?

What are cache headers and why are they important?

Cache headers are HTTP headers that control how and for how long web browsers and other caches store responses. They are important because they help improve website performance by reducing load times and server requests.

Can you explain the different types of cache headers?

Sure! The main types of cache headers include 'Cache-Control', 'Expires', 'ETag', and 'Last-Modified'. Each serves a different purpose in managing how resources are cached.

How does the 'Cache-Control' header work?

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

What happens if I don't set cache headers?

If you don't set cache headers, browsers may use default caching behavior, which can lead to slower load times and increased server load as resources are fetched repeatedly.