Frontend caching

Note: For a long time, we had this cache configured to 8 hours. As of June 2024, we turned off caching to minimize confusion for SMEs editing content.

When you view a regulation page on eRegulations, the website "caches" certain bits of data for that page - in other words, it saves a copy of the data in a tiny file on your computer (as part of a hidden browser storage folder). That tiny cache file expires (gets automatically deleted) at a configurable time, so people should see fresh data periodically.

Pros:

• If you view a page and then refresh it or load it again in a little while, resources load instantly. This is intended to be a good experience for users doing research, especially anyone on a slower internet connection.

Cons:

• When a SME views a regulation page, then tags a resource intended to show up in the sidebar for that page, and then views the page again a minute later, it'll show the old version from the cache.
• A user doing research may not see brand-new links until their next work day.

Configuration

The devs can adjust the length of time for caching or turn it off.

How to bypass the cache

• You can open an incognito window to see new material: Ctrl-Shift-N (Windows) or Command-Shift-N (mac OS) in Chrome or Edge.
• You can go to our cache-clearing tool (add /cache/ to the end of our URL, like this: https://example.com/cache/), scroll to the end, and choose "delete all cache items".