Session-Based Architecture vs Token Based Authentication
Developers should use Session-Based Architecture when building applications that require user authentication, shopping carts, or multi-step workflows, as it simplifies state management and enhances security by keeping sensitive data server-side meets developers should use token based authentication when building stateless apis, such as restful or graphql services, as it scales well by eliminating server-side session storage and supports cross-origin requests in single page applications (spas) and mobile apps. Here's our take.
Session-Based Architecture
Developers should use Session-Based Architecture when building applications that require user authentication, shopping carts, or multi-step workflows, as it simplifies state management and enhances security by keeping sensitive data server-side
Session-Based Architecture
Nice PickDevelopers should use Session-Based Architecture when building applications that require user authentication, shopping carts, or multi-step workflows, as it simplifies state management and enhances security by keeping sensitive data server-side
Pros
- +It's particularly useful for legacy systems, monolithic applications, or scenarios where client-side state management is impractical, such as in banking or healthcare applications with strict data privacy requirements
- +Related to: authentication, cookies
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
Token Based Authentication
Developers should use Token Based Authentication when building stateless APIs, such as RESTful or GraphQL services, as it scales well by eliminating server-side session storage and supports cross-origin requests in Single Page Applications (SPAs) and mobile apps
Pros
- +It is ideal for microservices architectures where services need to verify user identity without shared session stores, and for implementing features like single sign-on (SSO) across multiple applications
- +Related to: json-web-tokens, oauth-2
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
The Verdict
Use Session-Based Architecture if: You want it's particularly useful for legacy systems, monolithic applications, or scenarios where client-side state management is impractical, such as in banking or healthcare applications with strict data privacy requirements and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.
Use Token Based Authentication if: You prioritize it is ideal for microservices architectures where services need to verify user identity without shared session stores, and for implementing features like single sign-on (sso) across multiple applications over what Session-Based Architecture offers.
Developers should use Session-Based Architecture when building applications that require user authentication, shopping carts, or multi-step workflows, as it simplifies state management and enhances security by keeping sensitive data server-side
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