How can you prevent Internet Explorer from caching HTML without using random query-strings

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+2 Q:

How can you prevent Internet Explorer from caching HTML without using random query-strings

We are currently using random query-strings to prevent Internet Explorer from caching HTML on postbacks, but we are in the process of implementing URL re-writing and it would be nice if we could remove these random parameters.

What's the best pratice in this situation?

+5 A:

Have you tried the no-cache and expires meta-tags?

Other than that, random generated query-strings are the way to go. In my opinion, its not not that big of a deal. domain.com/stories/man-walks-on-moon/s34b is not exactly making my eyes bleed. And you will still achieve great indexing as far as search engines go.

roosteronacid 2009-12-28 20:27:22

I'd vote another +1 for the nick! ROFLMAO!

No Refunds No Returns 2009-12-28 20:30:11

Microsoft's own knowledge base article on the subject: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/234067

Zoran Regvart 2009-12-28 20:30:44

Would no-cache prevent only HTML content cache or would it prevent any kind of cache including javascript and CSS?

Ciwee 2009-12-28 20:31:57

@Andre No, it would only apply to the HTML itself. You'd need your server to send no-cache and expires headers for CSS/JS files.

ceejayoz 2009-12-28 20:34:31

I do not agree with the "greating indexing" as for search engines

Ciwee 2009-12-28 20:42:46

@André Pena: And your argument for your statement is..? ;)

roosteronacid 2009-12-29 08:22:38

If you have Internet Explorer 8 or the Developer Tools plugin installed, you can select "Always Refresh from Server" from the "Cache" menu on the plugin window (press 'F12' to show it).

TimGThomas 2009-12-28 20:29:39

Obviously it should work for all users, not only the developer.

Georg 2009-12-28 20:55:03

Not sure how I could have known that since it was never mentioned in the original question.

TimGThomas 2009-12-29 13:53:20

+2 A:

The proper way to control caching is to use proper caching headers. http://www.fiddler2.com/redir/?id=httpperf describes this at length.

Using random query-strings is a simple hack to deal with cases where you don't control the server's headers.

EricLaw -MSFT- 2009-12-29 16:25:43

Also, keep in mind that for actual "postbacks", IE isn't typically going to ever get a cache hit for those, since current versions of IE always send No-Cache requests when performing POSTs.

EricLaw -MSFT- 2009-12-29 16:28:34

ansaurus

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How can you prevent Internet Explorer from caching HTML without using random query-strings

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