What are the differences between local storage and cookies?

What are the differences between local storage and cookies?

Local storage and cookies are both used to store data in the browser, but they have key differences. Local storage can hold larger amounts of data and persists until explicitly deleted, while cookies are limited in size and have expiration dates.

Can you explain how local storage works?

Local storage allows you to store key-value pairs in a web browser. It has a larger storage capacity than cookies, typically around 5-10MB, and the data remains even after the browser is closed.

What about security? Are cookies safer than local storage?

Cookies can be more secure if used with the HttpOnly and Secure flags, which prevent client-side access and ensure data is sent over HTTPS. Local storage is accessible via JavaScript, making it more vulnerable to XSS attacks.

When should I use local storage instead of cookies?

Use local storage for storing large amounts of data that don't need to be sent to the server with every request, like user preferences. Use cookies for session management and data that needs to be sent with HTTP requests.