Cookies vs cache vs session? Are there any distinctions among them? This article explains the difference between cookies and cache and the difference between cookies and sessions. If you require a free data recovery tool to retrieve deleted or lost data from your computer or external storage devices, you can try the free version of MiniTool Power Data Recovery.

Cookies vs Cache vs Session – Overview

This article primarily discusses the differences between cookies and cache, as well as the differences between cookies and sessions.

Cookies vs Cache vs Session – Definitions

Web Cookies

A web cookie, also known as a browser cookie or internet cookie, is a small piece of data stored on your computer by your web browser when you visit a webpage. Cookies are used to remember user activity such as clicking certain items or buttons, logging in with details like names, passwords, addresses, payment card numbers, visited webpages, etc.

Web Cache

Cached data refers to web caching, also known as HTTP caching, which involves storing temporary information such as web pages, images, files, scripts, or other web multimedia content. Caching is primarily used to reduce server lag and decrease the loading time of webpage data.

Session

In the computing world, a session represents the temporary interactive information exchanged between multiple communicating devices or between a user and a computer.

What is a session cookie and what is it used for?

Since web pages lack memory, you are considered a new visitor when moving from one webpage to another. Session cookies enable websites to track your navigation from one page to another. It prevents the website from repeatedly asking for the same information you’ve already provided.

Cookies vs Cache vs Session – Differences

Differences Between Cache and Cookies

1. Cache’s purpose is to accelerate the loading of webpages, whereas cookies track users’ various browsing activities.
2. Cache consists of files, images, videos, audio, scripts, or other multimedia files from the webpages you’ve visited. Cookies store information related to users’ web browsing activities, such as their preferences and login information.
3. Cache typically remains on the user’s computer until the user manually clears the browser’s cache. (For guidance on clearing cache for a single site, refer to related resources.) Conversely, cookies will eventually expire, requiring users to re-enter login information.

Differences Between Cookies and Sessions

1. Both cookies and sessions contain user information, but cookies are stored on the client side while sessions are stored on the server side.
2. Cookies expire after a set period, whereas sessions terminate when the user closes the browser.
3. The maximum size of a cookie is 4KB. In contrast, there is no limit on the size or number of sessions.
4. Cookies can be disabled, but sessions cannot be disabled.
5. Sessions rely on cookies, but cookies do not depend on sessions.

Conclusion

Cookies vs cache vs session, these are not identical concepts. The distinctions between cache and cookies, cookies and sessions are outlined in this article.

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