Updating Browser Cache

Caching in Ajax has come a long way since Ajax was first put to use. Caching used to be discouraged in applications since it could easily clog the memory of the browser which could halt the online process. But caching has become a norm today even in Ajax based applications because of the improved browsers as well as techniques on how to implement Ajax.

Caching is very important since this will help users access the online applications or websites they have been previously visited. Through caching, users will no longer need to load the website since data has already been stored in the browser. The browser will just reload the memory from its temporary files. Unless the user will clean the browser’s temporary file folder, reloading the website is relatively faster.

However, reloading might not be possible if the JavaScript attached in the application has been updated. This could easily happen since JavaScript is aggressively being developed so that it could keep up with the current demands of the online community. When the JavaScript is updated, the application might not work with the browser since the browser will not be able to read the new data provided by the online application.

Fortunately, fixing this problem is relatively easy. The first step in dealing with this problem is to avoid using the same name of functions for JavaScript. The logic is basically simple: when the browser has the cache of the online application it will reload the cached information since it is already in the browser. The browser will prevent the new information from loading. Eventually, the application will not work well since the new function fails to load.

Implementing new functions with new names in JavaScript means these will have to be loaded and not from cache. Although it will not speed up the loading time, the updated function will be available which improves the experience of the user.

There are two ways to implement new functions with new names. The first technique is to use JavaScript and the second technique is to use CSS. JavaScript is highly recommended if you are running an application that uses JavaScript functions aggressively instead of providing data with the user. Since JavaScript are primarily about functions, updating them, using the same tools would ease compatibility and speeds up processing in the browser.

CSS on the other hand is recommended if you are building an application that is intensive in data. CSS could easily update the functions that consistently interact with data. This is especially useful if you are building an application with a source that is outside from the online application. CSS could really help since it will consistently flow the data from another source.

Always update your JavaScript functions. Although the users would have to deal with the constant updates by experiencing slowdown in their online application, it is a worthy trade-off. By consistently updating your application, you are molding your application to work with the current demands of users as well as easily work with the browsers who are also updating to keep up with consumer demands.