How does Apache load Javascript files?

Question

I was creating a simple Wordpress plugin which uses a javascript file. Although the PHP edits did not need a server refresh and were reflected immediately on page reload, the javascript edits were not reflected until I restarted the server (they did not work even on a hitting "Refresh" on xampp).

What I would like to know:
1. How are Javascript files are loaded in Apache?
2. Is there anyway to configure it so that the files are loaded everytime I reload the page? ( I will be editing the Javascript files a lot. I do not want to be restarting the server everytime!)

xdazz · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-23 02:13:30Z

3

How are Javascript files are loaded in Apache?

Ans: It is the same with your html file or other static contents.

Is there anyway to configure it so that the files are loaded everytime I reload the page?

Ans: This is not the problem of Apache, It is mostly because your browser caches your javascript file. Simply clear your browser caches.

answered Jan 23, 2012 at 2:13

xdazz

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Beto Aveiga · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-23 11:19:40Z

1

A nice trick you can do is to append a random string to the resource that you want to keep up to date every pageload. Ex.:

<script type='text/javascript' src='/myScript.js?p=<?php print sha1(time()); ?>'>
</script>

In the same way, if you want to always refresh an image, just append it a random parameter:

<img src='/images/myImage.png?p=<?php print sha1(time()); ?>' />

You can do this with CSS files too.

Appending a random parameter to a resource will make the browser treat this resource as a new one, so it can't be loaded from cache.

answered Jan 23, 2012 at 11:19

Beto Aveiga

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1 Comment

Samudra Over a year ago

Although this seemed like a good idea at first, I am not sure it is. I want the static content to only be refreshed on my development environment, not on production. If I do as you suggest, I will have to check everywhere what kind of environment is running, before I append the random parameter to the static content. Seems like a waste of resources to me.

user2714965 · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-25 07:00:28Z

1

I use a Firefox add on called "Web Developer" to temporarily disable the browser cache when I am working on web pages. You can toggle the cache on and off with it, amongst other things. I still think Beto Aveiga's plan is very interesting, I am thinking of a scheme to put it to use right now.

answered Aug 25, 2013 at 7:00

user2714965

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epascarello · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-23 02:13:24Z

0

GET requests are cached in the browser. Clear your browsers cache and set it to check for new files every time in the browser's settings.

answered Jan 23, 2012 at 2:13

epascarello

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