JSON Web Tokens

JSON Web Tokens (JWT) are an open standard (RFC 7519) for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. They are digitally signed using a secret or a public/private key pair, ensuring data integrity and authenticity. JWTs are commonly used for authentication and authorization in web applications and APIs.

Also known as: JWT, Json Web Token, JWT Token, JWT Auth, JWT Authentication

Why learn JSON Web Tokens?

Developers should use JWTs when building stateless authentication systems, such as in single sign-on (SSO) scenarios or securing RESTful APIs, as they eliminate the need for server-side session storage. They are ideal for microservices architectures where services need to verify user identity without sharing a database, and for mobile or single-page applications (SPAs) that require token-based authentication.

Learning Resources

• docs: JWT.io Introduction
• book: Auth0 JWT Handbook
• video: JWT Tutorial for Beginners (YouTube)
• docs: MDN Web Docs: JSON Web Tokens
• tutorial: FreeCodeCamp JWT Course