Session
A temporary, secure storage mechanism that keeps a user logged in and tracks their continuous interactions with a website over a specific period of time.
What it is
Because HTTP is inherently stateless (it forgets you after every click), sessions maintain continuity. When you log in, the server creates a temporary session record in its memory and gives your browser a tiny ID key. Every time you click a new page, the browser shows the key, and the server remembers who you are.
When you would use it
You manage sessions to provide a continuous, stateful experience for users navigating complex, authenticated web applications.
Common operations
- Keeping a user securely logged into an application while they navigate between pages.
- Storing temporary state, like the contents of an e-commerce shopping cart, before checkout.