HTTP Cookies
HTTP cookies are small pieces of data stored by a web browser on a user's device, sent from a web server and used to maintain stateful information across HTTP requests. They enable websites to remember user preferences, login sessions, and track browsing activity, making web interactions more personalized and efficient. Cookies are a fundamental mechanism for web session management and user authentication.
Developers should learn HTTP cookies when building web applications that require user authentication, session persistence, or personalization features, such as e-commerce sites, social media platforms, or content management systems. They are essential for implementing features like 'remember me' functionality, shopping carts, and user-specific settings, as they allow servers to identify and track users across multiple requests without requiring re-authentication.