How to cache .NET Web API requests (& use w/ AngularJS $http)

Question

I have a Web API written in ASP.NET that I\'m consuming via AngularJS $http.

I have enabled caching in my AngularJS factory as follows but every reques

Answer 1

Turns out it was a Web API thing. I'd overlooked the fact that the response header clearly stated that caching was disabled.

Response as viewed in the Network tab of Google Chrome:

Upon further investigation (and as seen in the image above), caching is disabled in Web API controllers. Even the [OutputCache] attribute, which is used in regular MVC controllers, isn't supported.

Luckily I found this blog: http://www.strathweb.com/2012/05/output-caching-in-asp-net-web-api/

which lead me to these two solutions:

• ASP.NET Web API CacheOutput
• CacheCow

I decided to go with CacheOutput as it lets me use attributes like:

[CacheOutputUntilToday] which supports server & client side caching.

Or if I wanted to just use client-side caching I can use something like:

[CacheOutput(ClientTimeSpan = 100, ServerTimeSpan = 0)]

Which seemed a little easier at first glance that CacheCow's approach. And easier to refactor out later if need be.

Now additional requests give me a 200 (from cache):

With a refresh giving me a 304 Not Modified:

Problem solved! Hope this helps someone else.