Cookies in JavaScript are small pieces of data stored on a user’s browser by websites. They serve as a means to persistently store information between page visits. JavaScript, through the Document Object Model (DOM), can interact with cookies, enabling functionalities like user authentication, personalized content, and tracking user preferences.
Cookies typically consist of key-value pairs and include attributes such as expiration date, domain, and path. Developers can set, read, and delete cookies using JavaScript, providing a mechanism for maintaining state across multiple sessions.
While cookies are versatile for session management, they have limitations, such as size constraints and being vulnerable to security threats like cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. Modern web development often combines cookies with other technologies like JSON Web Tokens (JWT) or session storage for more secure and efficient data management on the client side.