What are cookies in the context of web development?

Cookies are small pieces of information sent by a web server and stored on the client computer. They are used primarily to remember information about the user between web requests. For instance, cookies can store user preferences, session tokens, or other data that can be used to maintain state and provide a personalized experience as the user navigates through a website. Each time a user makes a request to the server, these cookies can be sent back with the request, allowing the server to retrieve stored data related to the user's session.

In web development, cookies play a crucial role in managing state since HTTP is a stateless protocol, meaning each request from the client to the server is treated independently. Cookies bridge this gap by enabling the persistence of data across multiple requests. This makes them essential for various functionalities such as user authentication, tracking, and personalization of content delivered to users.

Understanding this concept helps developers implement features that enhance user experience while adhering to privacy and data regulations regarding the use of cookies.