What is SessionStorage and How Does It Work?

SessionStorage is another storage method similar to LocalStorage, but with one crucial difference - it only retains data during the current session. When the user closes the browser or opens a new tab/window, the data is lost. This method is used when data needs to persist only while the session remains active.

SessionStorage is particularly effective for temporary data storage needs, such as preserving form steps or interface states during a single browsing session.

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How SessionStorage Works

SessionStorage operates on the same principle as LocalStorage, but data persists only for a single session.

  
// To write data
sessionStorage.setItem('key', 'value');

// To read data
const value = sessionStorage.getItem('key');

// To remove data
sessionStorage.removeItem('key');

// Clear all data
sessionStorage.clear();

This code is identical to LocalStorage implementation, but remember: SessionStorage only maintains data until you close the tab or browser.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of SessionStorage

Advantages:

• SessionStorage is a lightweight method for storing data temporarily during a single session.
• It restricts data access to the current window/tab, providing some protection against accidental data loss.
• Ideal for cases where data shouldn't persist long-term, minimizing security risks.

Disadvantages:

• SessionStorage data disappears when the user closes the browser or opens a new tab/window.
• Doesn't offer long-term data persistence options.
• Data isn't shared between multiple tabs in the same session.

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SessionStorage Use Cases

SessionStorage proves valuable when data retention is only required during an active session. The most common use cases include:

• Multi-step form preservation - maintaining form data across multiple pages or steps.
• Temporary interface states - storing UI states or parameters until page refresh/closure.
• Administrative applications - temporary file storage or data transfer between pages.

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Conclusion

SessionStorage is extremely useful for temporary data storage with minimal security concerns. Unlike LocalStorage, it doesn't provide long-term persistence options. In our next article, we'll explore using IndexedDB for storing large, structured data in the browser.