Cache Busting

Definitions

1. A technique for forcing clients or intermediaries to fetch a fresh resource instead of reusing a cached one, usually by changing the asset URL through version strings or content hashes. Cache busting is essential for static asset deployment because browsers and CDNs may otherwise serve outdated files long after a release.

   In plain English: Making sure a client fetches a new version of a file instead of using a cached old one.

   Example: "The hotfix looked ineffective until the team realized missing cache busting meant some users still had the old JavaScript bundle cached for hours."

Related Terms

• CDN
• Responsive Design
• Keyframe
• Asset Compilation
• Asset Fingerprint
• Asset Precompilation
• Browser Cache
• Cache Region
• Cache TTL
• Client Cache
• Content Hash