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Cookies, sessions and registry under Magento2

Table of Contents:

 

  • Introduction:

 

  • What is Cookies in Magento 2:

 

  • Why use Cookies in magento 2

 

  • How to Configure Cookies in Magento

 

  • What is Sessions in Magento 2:

 

  • What is Registry in Magento 2:

 

  • Conclusion:

 

Introduction:

When it comes to building robust and feature-rich e-commerce websites, Magento 2 has established itself as one of the leading platforms. In order to create seamless user experiences and maintain user-specific data, Magento 2 relies on three key components: cookies, sessions, and the registry. In this blog post, we will delve into the definitions and functionalities of cookies, sessions, and the registry in Magento 2. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of these components, developers can effectively leverage them to enhance the functionality and user experience of their Magento 2-based e-commerce websites.

What is Cookies in Magento 2

Cookies are small text files that are stored on a user’s browser and contain data related to their interactions with a website. In Magento 2, cookies play a vital role in enhancing user experience, personalizing content, and providing essential functionality. Here’s a breakdown of cookies in Magento 2:

 

  • Persistent Cookies: Magento 2 uses persistent cookies to remember user preferences, such as language selection, currency, and shopping cart information. These cookies persist across multiple sessions, allowing users to have a consistent experience when they return to the website.

 

  • Session Cookies: Session cookies are temporary and last only for the duration of a user’s visit to the website. Magento 2 utilizes session cookies to track user sessions, maintain shopping cart information, and facilitate secure transactions.

 

  • Cookie Management: Administrators have control over cookie settings through the Magento 2 admin panel. They can configure the lifetime of cookies, enable cookie restriction modes, and define cookie domains to ensure compliance with privacy regulations and enhance user privacy.

 

Why use Cookies in magento 2

 

Cookies are widely used in Magento for various purposes. Here’s an example to illustrate the use of cookies in Magento.

 

In an e-commerce website built on Magento, cookies are used to implement a persistent shopping cart feature. The goal is to allow users to add products to their cart and retain the cart contents even after they leave the website and return at a later time.

 

  • User Adds Products to Cart:When a user visits the website and adds products to their cart, the selected items are stored in a session on the server. Additionally, a cookie is created and sent to the user’s browser.

 

  • Cookie Storage:The cookie contains a unique identifier, such as a session ID or cart ID, that corresponds to the user’s cart stored on the server. The cookie is set with an expiration date in the future to ensure its persistence.

 

  • User Leaves and Returns:If the user leaves the website and later returns, the cookie is sent back to the server along with the subsequent requests. The server reads the cookie and retrieves the associated cart data from the database.

 

  • Restoring Cart Contents:With the cart data retrieved from the cookie, the server populates the user’s cart with the previously selected products. This allows the user to see their selected items and continue shopping seamlessly without having to start over.

 

How to Configure Cookies in Magento 2

Step 1: On the admin menu click on Stores and tap on Configuration as per guided in the image below:

Step 2: Click on Web under general as guided below:

 

Step 3: Tap on Default Cookie Settings as per guided below

 

Step 4: Now you can configure cookies setting by filling the appropriate details according to you.

 

Cookie Lifetime: This is all about how long Cookie files stay on the users browser. Basically, one hour is the by default setting which is equivalent to 3600 seconds.


Cookie Path: You have to enter the cookie path here to make cookies available for some particular folders. You have to enter “/” if you want to make available everywhere on your site.


Cookie Domain: Enter here if you want to enable cookies for some specific subdomain. Enter something like “.domain.com” if you want to enable cookies for all the subdomains. (Verify that should enter “.” before your domain name).


Use HTTP Only: For malware prevention, select “Yes” here. So, it uses the HTTP protocol only and any other protocols are not allowed for example JavaScript.


Cookie Restriction Mode:You have to select “Yes” here.


What is Sessions in Magento 2:


Sessions in Magento 2 are a mechanism for maintaining user-specific data and state across multiple page requests. Let’s explore the key aspects of sessions in Magento 2:

  • Session Storage: Magento 2 supports various session storage options, including files, database, or Redis. The chosen storage mechanism determines how session data is stored and accessed.

  • User Authentication: Sessions play a crucial role in user authentication and authorization. Magento 2 utilizes sessions to validate user credentials and grant access to secure areas of the website.

  • Cart Management: Sessions enable the management of the shopping cart in Magento 2. When a user adds products to the cart, session data is utilized to store and retrieve cart information, allowing users to continue their shopping experience seamlessly.

  • Custom Session Data: Developers can also utilize sessions to store custom data related to user interactions or application-specific information. This allows for personalization and customization of the user experience based on individual preferences or behavior.

  • What is Registry in Magento 2:

    The registry in Magento 2 provides a centralized data storage mechanism that allows sharing data across different parts of the application. Here’s an overview of the registry in Magento 2:

  • Key-Value Pairs: The registry consists of key-value pairs, where developers can store and retrieve data as needed. This data can include information about the current state of the application, user input, or any other relevant data.

  • Application Scope: The registry data is available within the scope of the current request and can be accessed from various components, including controllers, models, blocks, and templates.

  • Usage Considerations: While the registry provides a convenient way to share data, it’s important to use it judiciously. Overusing the registry can lead to code complexity and make it harder to track data flow. It’s best suited for sharing small amounts of temporary data

  • Conclusion:

    Cookies, sessions, and the registry are essential components in the Magento 2 framework that enable personalized user experiences, seamless cart management, and efficient data sharing. By understanding their definitions and functionalities, developers can leverage these components effectively to enhance the functionality and user experience of their Magento 2-based e-commerce websites. By following best practices and considering security aspects, developers can ensure the secure and efficient utilization of cookies, sessions, and the registry in their Magento 2 projects.