Introduction

In the digital world, security is paramount, and at the heart of securing web applications lies the crucial process of user authentication. User authentication is the method by which a system verifies the identity of a user who attempts to access a network or a resource. It's akin to a digital handshake, confirming a user’s identity and granting them access to the services and resources they are entitled to.

In this landscape, JSON Web Tokens (JWT) have emerged as a significant player. JWTs offer a method for securely transmitting information between parties in a compact, URL-safe format. Their role in modern web applications extends beyond just authentication; they also facilitate authorization, ensuring that users have appropriate access rights after they are authenticated. This dual capability of authentication and authorization makes JWT an invaluable tool in the toolkit of developers, particularly in the development of APIs and single-page applications.