Django Not Reflecting Updates to Javascript Files?

Question

I have javascript files in my static folder. Django finds and loads them perfectly fine, so I don't think there is anything wrong with my configuration of the static options. However, sometimes when I make a change to a .js file and save it, the Django template that uses it does NOT reflect those changes -- inspecting the javascript with the browser reveals the javascript BEFORE the last save. Restarting the server does nothing, though restarting my computer has sometimes solved the issue. I do not have any code that explicitly deals with caching. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?

Answer 1

I believe your browser is caching your js

you could power refresh your browser, or clear browser cache?

on chrome control+f5 or shift + f5

i believe on firefox it is control + shift + r

Answer 2

Since you are editing JavaScript files and watching for the changes in the browser I assume you are actively developing your Django app and probably using Django's development runserver. There is a better solution than clearing the browser cache and refreshing. If you run a watcher utility that supports the livereload protocol then your browser will automatically refresh whenever you change any static file.

The django-livereload-server python package provides a spiffy solution. Install it:

$ pip install django-livereload-server

Add 'livereload.middleware.LiveReloadScript' to MIDDLEWARE_CLASSES in settings.py.

Then run

$ ./manage.py livereload

before starting the runserver.

More documentation can be found at the django-livereload-server github site

Answer 3

For me, opening Incognito Mode in Chrome let the browser show the recent changes in my .js static files.

Answer 4

To anyone who is using Firefox: If you don't want to clean your browser cache or it doesn't solve your issue, you can try doing a hard refresh (hold Shift and press the refresh button).