What is the function of a non-persistent cookie?

A non-persistent cookie, also known as a session cookie, is designed to remain only in a user's RAM while the browser session is active. This means that the cookie is temporary and is created to store information only for the duration of that browsing session. Once the user closes their browser, the non-persistent cookie does not remain on the system, making it suitable for tracking activities where data needs not to be retained beyond the current session.

The use of non-persistent cookies is common for tasks such as maintaining user sessions on websites, which helps in managing features like shopping carts or user login states without permanently saving any information on the hard drive. This approach also enhances user privacy since the data is not stored after the session ends.

In contrast, cookies that reside on the hard drive for long-term tracking do not fit the definition of non-persistent cookies, as they are designed for duration and can retain data between different browsing sessions. Similarly, cookies that can be deleted by the user do not describe a non-persistent cookie, because these temporary cookies inherently do not persist. Additionally, non-persistent cookies do not serve to modify user content within a browser, as their primary role pertains to session management rather than altering web page behavior.