Express Sessions and Authentication

HTTP is stateless, meaning each request is treated independently. Sessions enable storing user data between requests, allowing for personalized experiences.

Sessions use a unique ID assigned to each client, allowing the server to track their activity across multiple requests. This ID is typically stored in a cookie sent to the client's browser.

The Express-session middleware helps manage session creation, cookie handling, and providing access to session data within requests (req.session).

A simple in-memory store for sessions (MemoryStore) is not suitable for production environments because it loses all data on server restarts. Use a persistent storage solution like a database.

Authentication verifies a user's identity by comparing provided credentials to those stored in a database. Successful authentication grants access to resources.

For demonstration purposes, a simple in-memory storage is used to temporarily store signup information. In production, always utilize a persistent storage like a database.

A signup page allows users to create new accounts. It typically collects information like username, email, and password, which is then stored securely.

Storing sensitive information like passwords in-memory is highly insecure. Always opt for persistent storage solutions for security and data integrity.

A login page provides users with a form to enter their credentials (username/email and password) attempting to authenticate themselves.