Describe the purpose and use cases of local storage and session storage in JavaScript.

@pasquale 

Local storage and session storage are two mechanisms in JavaScript that allow developers to store data on the client-side browser.

Local storage:

The local storage feature in JavaScript is used to store data that is persistent and remains even when the browser is closed. It is typically used to store user preferences, data that needs to be accessed by the web application even after the user leaves the site, and other data that the website wants to retain for a long period of time.

Local storage is a key-value store, which means that developers can store data as key-value pairs. It is a synchronous API that can store up to 5-10 MB of data, depending on the browser. The stored data is available to all windows and tabs running under the same origin, which means that data stored in local storage can be accessed by any JavaScript code running on the same website.

Session storage:

Session storage is similar to local storage, but the stored data is only available for the duration of the browser session. When the user closes the browser window or tab, the data is cleared. Session storage is typically used to store information that only needs to be available while the user is browsing the website, such as shopping cart contents, user login information, and other data that should be cleared when the user logs out or closes the browser.

Session storage is also a key-value store, but it is limited to the current browser tab or window. Data stored in session storage is not accessible to other tabs or windows running under the same origin, which provides additional security and privacy protection.

In summary, local storage and session storage provide developers with a way to store data on the client-side browser, allowing for a more responsive and customized user experience. Local storage is used for long-term data storage, while session storage is used for short-term data storage. Both are key-value stores that are limited by the size of the browser storage and are accessible only within the current website or browser tab.