What is JWT authentication and how does it work?

What is JWT authentication and how does it work?

JWT (JSON Web Token) authentication is a method for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. It is compact, URL-safe, and can be verified and trusted because it is digitally signed.

What are the main components of a JWT?

A JWT consists of three parts: the header, the payload, and the signature. The header typically contains the type of token and the signing algorithm. The payload contains the claims, which are the statements about an entity (usually the user) and additional data. The signature is used to verify that the sender of the JWT is who it says it is.

How do I implement JWT authentication in my application?

To implement JWT authentication, you need to create a token when a user logs in, send it to the client, and then include it in the Authorization header of subsequent requests. On the server side, you verify the token to authenticate the user.

What are the advantages of using JWT?

JWTs are stateless, meaning they don't require server-side sessions, which makes them scalable. They also allow for cross-domain authentication and can carry additional information in the payload.