Why Are Query Strings Used in CSS Links?

Unraveling the Role of the Mysterious Query String in CSS Links

In the depths of a website's markup, you may encounter a peculiar sight in the CSS link portion: a cryptic query string appended to the file path, reminiscent of "?d=20090107". This perplexing addition begs the question: what purpose does it serve?

Contrary to popular assumption, the query string is not a timestamp. Instead, it acts as a clever mechanism to ensure browsers disregard cached versions of the CSS file and fetch the latest version every time it is modified.

When a webserver encounters the query string, it interprets it as a parameter and ignores it. However, for the browser, this unique parameter triggers a refresh, preventing it from relying on outdated cached content.

This trick is commonly employed during the development phase to force a reload of modified CSS files. By appending a parameter that changes with each update, developers can guarantee that any changes to the style sheet are immediately reflected on the user's browser without the need for manual intervention.

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