Disable cache for some images

Question

I generate some images using a PHP lib.

Sometimes the browser does not load the new generated file.

How can I disable cache just for images created dynamically by me?

Note: I have to use same name for the created images over time.

Answer 1

A common and simple solution to this problem that feels like a hack but is fairly portable is to add a randomly generated query string to each request for the dynamic image.

So, for example -

<img src="image.png" />

Would become

<img src="image.png?dummy=8484744" />

Or

<img src="image.png?dummy=371662" />

From the point of view of the web-server the same file is accessed, but from the point of view of the browser no caching can be performed.

The random number generation can happen either on the server when serving the page (just make sure the page itself isn't cached...), or on the client (using JavaScript).

You will need to verify whether your web-server can cope with this trick.