# Clear the decks


What is a cache? How do you pronounce the word correctly? And why do I always see outdated versions on my website? We have answers. 

## What is a Cache? {class=speciallink}
A cache (pronounced: cash) helps your browser (the thing you are currently viewing this text with) to do less work. It works like this: the first time you visit a website, your browser downloads and stores all files it finds on the website onto your hard drive. If you then visit the page a second time, the image – let's call it `cat-content.jpg` –  is already on your hard disk. Alas. In the so-called cache storage. So your browser does not need to establish a connection with the server in America and load the cat image via the Atlantic line. 



## Sounds … erm, great?! {class=speciallink}
Exactly. It is. The problem only arises if the image is swapped, but it's name remains the same. Then your browser thinks he already downloaded `cat-content.jpg` and shows you an old image. If you're working on a new website and constantly change images, that's not good.

## Testing Caches {class=speciallink}
It is therefore essential to clear the cache regularly, especially during the test phase.  We recommend that you use a **different** browser to inspect your own website than you normally use to surf the web. This will ensure that the website tests do not interfere with your other online-life.

## To be clear {class=speciallink}
Here are the links to some individual browsers and how to clear their cache:

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### [Firefox](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-clear-firefox-cache) {class=list}
### [Chrome](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/32050?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop) {class=list}
### [Safari](https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/clear-safari-cache/){class=list}
### [Edge](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/view-and-delete-browser-history-in-microsoft-edge-00cf7943-a9e1-975a-a33d-ac10ce454ca4){class=list}

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We hope you find your browser in the list above. Otherwise, we recommend a quick search with the keywords: `Clear Tor Browser Cache` 🥸. And yes – according to [Phil Karlton](https://martinfowler.com/bliki/TwoHardThings.html), there are only two really **hard things** in computer science: 
> invalidating caches and naming things.

The first one hopefully isn’t a problem for you anymore.