Everybody hates cookies, so why are they still alive in 2023? 🤔
Tags: webdev, javascript, beginners, programming
Published: 2023-06-15 13:44:48

Cookies have been a fundamental part of web development for many years. These small text files are used by websites to remember user preferences and activity on the site. However, their use has come under scrutiny in recent years due to concerns about privacy and security. Despite this, cookies continue to be widely used by web developers for several reasons.


## Advantages of using cookies
One of the primary reasons why cookies are still in use is their compatibility. Cookies are supported by all modern web browsers, meaning they can be used on any website and are accessible to a wide range of users. In contrast, newer web storage technologies like local storage and session storage have limited support, particularly on older web browsers. This means that cookies are still necessary for developers who want to ensure their website is accessible to as many users as possible.

Another reason why cookies are still in use is their size. Cookies can be as small as 4 KB, making them an efficient way to store small amounts of data on the user's computer. This makes them ideal for storing user preferences and login credentials. Local storage, on the other hand, has a size limitation of around 5–10 MB, making it less efficient for storing small amounts of data.

> Cookies and other technologies used for security help to authenticate users, prevent fraud, and protect you as you interact with a service. The cookies and other technologies used to authenticate users help ensure that only the actual owner of an account can access that account.

https://policies.google.com/technologies/cookies?hl=en-US


Cookies are also useful for server-side session management, which is required for many web applications. Server-side session management involves creating a unique session ID for each user and storing it on the server. This allows the server to keep track of the user's activity on the site, such as login status, shopping cart contents, and preferences. While local storage can be used to store data on the client-side, it cannot be used for server-side session management.

![Table of persistent cookies](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/cpi8e9lis0fpal3a5z27.png)

Source: https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/ce-persistentcookies


## Why do web browsers continue to support cookies?
Browsers continue to support cookies because they are a fundamental part of web development. Cookies are used by many websites to improve user experience, personalize content, and provide important functionality. Additionally, cookies are widely used by web developers for server-side session management, which is required for many web applications. While newer web storage technologies like local storage and session storage have their benefits, they cannot completely replace cookies.

Despite the benefits of cookies, there are valid concerns about their use. One of the primary concerns is the potential for cookies to be used for tracking and advertising purposes. Cookies can be used to track a user's activity across multiple websites, which can be used to create targeted advertising campaigns. Additionally, cookies can be used to collect sensitive information about the user, such as their name, email address, and browsing history.

![Spy Cameras](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/yaubmzibbf5usb9ws0x7.png)

To address these concerns, web developers have introduced new privacy features and restrictions on the use of cookies. For example, modern web browsers allow users to block third-party cookies, limit the lifespan of cookies, and require cookies to be sent over a secure connection. Additionally, web developers are increasingly using newer web storage technologies like local storage and session storage for non-sensitive data.


## Conclusion
In conclusion, cookies continue to be an important part of web development due to their compatibility, small size, and ability to support server-side session management. While newer web storage technologies like local storage and session storage have their benefits, they cannot completely replace cookies. As web developers continue to balance functionality and privacy concerns, it is likely that cookies will continue to be used alongside newer web storage technologies. Browsers will continue to support cookies because they are a fundamental part of the web and are required for many web applications.

What do you think? Will cookies continue to be widely used or will they be replaced by existing or new technology? Please let me know in the comments. Thank you for taking the time to read this post!

Want to know more about cookies? Please follow the URLs:
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Cookies
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en
https://business.safety.google/adscookies/