Clearing the Browser's Cache: How and Why?
When we finish developing a product, the next phase is testing. As a team we test internally, preferably with people other than the people who developed the product. Simultaneously, we ask the customer to do the same. During a set period they can test the product and report bugs.
In this phase - bug fixing - it is normal to release several updates of the product and it is between these updates, you should clear your cache to make sure that you are testing the product at its latest version. While this may seem like a simple thing to do, we shouldn't assume that everyone knows how to do it... and we're here to help!
But first, let's get it straight...
Cache means temporary storage. Cached data is a collection of elements and items saved locally on your device. Whenever a request is made for a specific file, the browser first checks to see if the resource is available locally. If it is not found, the browser sends a request to the Internet server and will save that file as cached data.
Files kept in the browser's cache can take up a lot of disk space over time. This can result in slower than usual browser performance and compromise the use of additional resources. In addition, outdated cached resources can cause you to see incorrect content, such as having difficulty viewing new changes and updates made to the website or application.
Clearing the browser cache helps avoid these mishaps by forcing the browser to load the latest versions of accessed web pages and programs.
General
If you want to quickly refresh a web page and ensure that you are viewing the latest content you can simply use this shortcut in your browser. This command will not delete your cache, it simply tells you to ignore the content that exists locally and download everything again from the server.
Windows and Linux: CTRL + F5
MAC: CMD + R
How to do it:
- Click Settings;
- Choose the "Search & Services Privacy" category;
- Choose what you want to clear;
- Select only the "Images and Files in Cache" option with the time interval " All".
How to do it:
- Click on the menu icon in the browser toolbar:
- Click on Options:
- Under Privacy and Security, click on Clear Data:
- Select only the option to clear cache contents (note: selecting all will also delete your saved history and passwords);
- Click Clear.
How to do it:
1. Click on the menu icon in the browser toolbar;
2. Click Settings;
3. Under Privacy and Security, click Clear Browsing Data;
4. Select only the option to clear cache contents (note: selecting all will also delete your saved history and passwords!) and also the time interval for which you want to delete the data;
5. Click Clear Browsing Data.
Et Voilà! You are now ready to test, now that the cache and browser have been cleared!
