Access Tokens
Access tokens are short-lived credentials used in authentication and authorization systems to grant secure access to protected resources, such as APIs or user data. They are typically issued by an authorization server after a user or application successfully authenticates, and they contain claims about the requester's identity and permissions. Tokens are commonly implemented using standards like OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect to enable stateless, scalable security in modern applications.
Developers should learn about access tokens when building or integrating with secure systems that require user authentication or API authorization, such as web applications, mobile apps, or microservices. They are essential for implementing secure, token-based authentication flows, like in single sign-on (SSO) or third-party API integrations, to avoid storing sensitive credentials and to manage permissions efficiently. Understanding access tokens helps ensure compliance with security best practices and standards in distributed environments.