OAuth 2.0
OAuth 2.0 is an authorization framework that enables third-party applications to obtain limited access to user accounts on an HTTP service, such as Facebook, GitHub, or Google. It works by delegating user authentication to the service that hosts the user account and authorizing third-party applications to access the user account without exposing credentials. The framework defines flows for web applications, desktop applications, mobile phones, and smart devices.
Developers should learn OAuth 2.0 when building applications that need to securely access user data from external services, such as social media platforms or APIs, without handling passwords directly. It is essential for implementing single sign-on (SSO), integrating with cloud services, and enabling secure API access in scenarios like mobile apps, web apps, and microservices architectures.