OAuth 1
OAuth 1 is an open standard authorization protocol that allows third-party applications to access user resources on a server without exposing user credentials. It provides a secure method for delegated access by using tokens instead of passwords, enabling users to grant limited access to their data on one site to another application. The protocol relies on cryptographic signatures for request authentication, ensuring integrity and security in API interactions.
Developers should learn OAuth 1 when working with legacy systems or APIs that still use this version, such as older Twitter or Flickr integrations, as it provides a foundation for understanding token-based authentication. It is particularly useful in scenarios requiring high security for API access without sharing passwords, though OAuth 2 has largely superseded it due to simplicity. Understanding OAuth 1 helps in migrating to OAuth 2 or maintaining compatibility with existing services that haven't upgraded.