What is Cache, Cookies, and History

What is Cache, Cookies, and History?

Each time you access a file through your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc), the browser caches (i.e., stores) it so it doesn't have to keep retrieving the same files or images from the remote web site each time you click Back or Forward. You should periodically clear the cache to allow your browser to function more efficiently.
A cookie is a file created by a web browser, at the request of a web site, that is stored on a computer. These files typically store user-specific information such as selections in a form, shopping cart contents, or authentication data. Browsers will normally clear cookies that reach a certain age, but clearing them manually may solve problems with web sites or your browser.

A browser's history is a log of sites that you visit. When you press a browser's Back button, you are moving back one entry in the history log. Browsers will normally clear history at regular intervals, but you may want to clear it manually for privacy reasons.


Cache (noun): A hidden storage space.
That’s the definition you will get in the dictionary. When it comes to browsers, a browser cache is something similar but not so hidden. A browser cache is a special folder tucked away among other folders that stores web page elements that a browser thinks it will need again. It could be graphic files (banners, buttons, icons, ad-files etc.), photographs, script files, and even HTML pages.
Browser caches are not mere rubbish bins but a mechanism to speed up the way we browse the web. Each website we visit has certain common elements like logos, navigation buttons, GIF animation files, script files etc. It doesn’t make sense for the browser to download each element (also commonly called as Temporary Internet files) when we hop from page to the other and back.

The page elements are downloaded when we visit a website and the browser checks its cache folder for copies when we browse the website.  If a copy exists, then the browser doesn’t download the same file again, thus significantly speeding up web browsing speeds. (image courtesy – tonynetone)

Cookies (noun): Any of various small flat sweet cakes.
Not exactly! When it comes to computer lingo, a cookie is a short line of text that a web site puts on your computer’s hard drive when you access a web site. More technically, it is a flat text file that supports client-server communication and helps in session management and tracking. With the help of the cookies, a website can keep track of the user’s browsing session.
For e.g. cookies are routinely used to store a user’s preferences. Another common use is to rotate online ads as per the user’s browsing activity. Cookies are simple text files, so they cannot carry viruses or any other malicious programmable code.



What is a web browser?
A web browser is the application used on your computer, laptop, or mobile device to explore the internet. Some examples of commonly used browsers are Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.

What are cookies?
Cookies are small files that are downloaded to your computer when visiting a website. They can store previous activity on that site and user preferences so this information can be retrieved the next time you visit the same site. Cookies may also be used by 3rd parties to track a user's browser history over a long period of time which can be considered a privacy concern. It is recommended that you clear your browser cookies every few weeks to keep it running efficiently. You may want to configure your browser's settings to not accept cookies (on work computers) or remove cookies upon closing or exiting the browser window.

What is browser cache?
Browser cache or temporary internet files are a way that browsers download website images, data and documents for faster viewing in the future. By keeping a local copy of some website information, your browser will be able to load at least some information from each page you have visited without downloading that information again from the server. This can decrease the time it takes to load a webpage. The downside is that the information on a website may have changed while your browser loads an older version. It is recommended that you clear your browser cache every few weeks to keep it running efficiently. You may want to configure your browser's settings to delete or remove your browser's cache upon closing or exiting the browser window.