How to force IE to reload javascript?

javascript internet-explorer internet-explorer-8
Max Schmeling picture Max Schmeling · May 15, 2009 · Viewed 107.8k times · Source

I'm using IE 8 on Vista, and everytime I change a javascript file and then start debugging, I have to hit Ctrl+F5 to have it reload my javascript. Is there any way to make it automatically reload javascript when I start debugging, but not lose the performance gains when just browsing the net?

Yeah yeah I know you probably don't like IE, but keep in mind the question isn't "What's the best browser?".

Answer

Paolo Bergantino picture Paolo Bergantino · May 15, 2009

Add a string at the end of your URL to break the cache. I usually do (with PHP):

<script src="/my/js/file.js?<?=time()?>"></script>

So that it reloads every time while I'm working on it, and then take it off when it goes into production. In reality I abstract this out a little more but the idea remains the same.

If you check out the source of this website, they append the revision number at the end of the URL in a similar fashion to force the changes upon us whenever they update the javascript files.

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