Difference between localStorage and sessionStorage
Both localStorage
and sessionStorage
is web storage options provided by modern web browsers to store data on the client side. They have some similarities but also important differences in terms of data persistence and scope. Here's a breakdown of the key differences:
1. Data Persistence:
- localStorage
: The data stored in localStorage
persists even after the browser window is closed and reopened. It remains available until explicitly cleared or removed.
- sessionStorage
: The data stored in sessionStorage
persists only for the duration of the current browser session. When the browser window or tab is closed, the data is cleared and no longer accessible.
2. Scope:
- localStorage
: The data stored in localStorage
is accessible across multiple windows or tabs of the same origin. This means that data set in one window/tab can be accessed in another window/tab of the same origin.
- sessionStorage
: The data stored in sessionStorage
is limited to the specific window or tab in which it was set. It is not accessible by other windows or tabs of the same origin.
3. Storage Limit:
- localStorage
: The maximum storage limit for localStorage
is typically larger (typically around 5-10MB) compared to sessionStorage
.
- sessionStorage
: The storage limit for sessionStorage
is usually smaller (typically around 5-10MB) compared to localStorage
.
4. Data Sharing:
- localStorage
: The data stored in localStorage
is shared among all frames and iframes under the same origin. This means that if an iframe or frame accesses localStorage
, it will have access to the same data as the parent window.
- sessionStorage
: The data stored in sessionStorage
is not shared with iframes or frames. Each iframe or frame will have its own separate sessionStorage
.
5. Automatic Clearing:
- localStorage
: The data in localStorage
persists until explicitly cleared by the user or through code.
- sessionStorage
: The data in sessionStorage
is automatically cleared when the browser session ends, which occurs when the window or tab is closed.
Both localStorage
and sessionStorage
provides a simple key-value storage mechanism and are accessed using the same JavaScript APIs (`localStorage.setItem()`, localStorage.getItem()
, etc.) with minor differences in syntax. They are useful for storing temporary or semi-persistent data on the client side, depending on the specific requirements of your web application.