A Beginner's Guide to Tokens and Their Uses

Imagine you need to enter a secure building. To do this, you need a special key, which is an access token. This token lets you enter the building and access certain rooms and areas, but it is only valid for a limited time before it expires.

To avoid a long process to get a new access token, you have a refresh token. Think of the refresh token as a VIP card that allows you to get a new access token without showing your ID and other proofs.

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Here is more details breakdown :

1. Access Token

   • Purpose - An access token is a temporary key that allows you to access specific resources or perform certain actions. For instance, when you're logged into a website, the access token enables you to view your profile or make changes.

   • Duration - An access token usually lasts for a short period, from a few minutes to a few hours. Once it expires, you will need to get a new one to keep accessing the resources.

2. Refresh Token

   • Purpose - This is a long-lasting token that allows you to get a new access token without having to logged in again. It provides a new key whenever the current one expires. It can be stored in a database.

   • Duration - It lasts significantly longer than the access token, like days, weeks, or even months. This ensures a smooth experience without the need for constant logins.

How They Work Together:

1. You utilize your access token to access the necessary services or resources.

2. When the access token expires, your system can use the refresh token to obtain a new access token instead of requiring you to log in again.

3. This allows you to remain logged in and continue accessing services seamlessly.

So, the access token is like a short-term key for immediate access, and the refresh token is like a long-term VIP card that lets you get new keys when needed.