What is token

In the current Internet or computer network technology, the word token or "token" is often heard. Have you ever thought about what token or token is, what is the role, why is the Chinese translation of token a "token"?

In fact, this problem has also plagued me for a long time. For a long time, I have guessed from the form of token that he should be something like a password, just a temporary password generated by the server or website. But the password is always accompanied by the account number or the username. If you leave the account, the password has no meaning. According to this logic, it is not appropriate to think of a token as a password.

In the OAuth protocol, the token is obtained after the user name and password are entered. With this token, you can have the right to view or manipulate the corresponding resource. You have these permissions because the server knows who you are after (authentication), so the token is actually a "representative" for you, or a "passport" that can fully represent you. From this concept, the translation of "token" is really a very "Shen Ya Da