Editing Magic cookie (section)

== Cookie as token ==
An analogy is the token supplied at a coat check ([[cloakroom]]) counter in [[Real life (reality)|real life]]. The token has no intrinsic meaning, but its uniqueness allows it to be exchanged for the correct coat when returned to the coat check counter. The coat check token is opaque because the way in which the counter staff are able to find the correct coat when the token is presented is immaterial to the person who wishes their coat returned. In other cases (as is possible with [[HTTP cookie]]s), the actual data of interest can be stored as name–value pairs directly on the cookie.

Cookies are used as identifying tokens in many computer applications. When one visits a [[website]], the remote server may leave an HTTP cookie on one's computer, where they are often used to [[Authentication|authenticate]] identity upon returning to the website.

Cookies are a component of the most common authentication method used by the [[X Window System]].