Express Session
Express Session is a middleware for the Express.js web framework that provides session management capabilities, allowing developers to store user-specific data across multiple HTTP requests. It works by creating a session object for each user, typically using cookies to identify sessions, and supports various session stores like in-memory, databases, or external services. This enables stateful interactions in stateless HTTP protocols, essential for features like user authentication, shopping carts, and personalized content.
Developers should use Express Session when building web applications that require maintaining user state, such as login systems, e-commerce sites, or any app where user data needs to persist across page reloads or navigation. It is particularly useful in scenarios where server-side session storage is preferred over client-side alternatives like local storage, offering better security and control over session data. For example, it can store user IDs after authentication to manage access to protected routes.