Okuzeka
Software Engineering vocabulary · APIs, Networking and Security

Token

Meaning in software engineering, with examples

/ˈtoʊkən/nounCommon term

In software engineering, token means: A string of characters that proves a user or app has already logged in or has permission. It is sent with each request instead of a password.

In Turkish: belirteç, erişim anahtarı, token

How it is used

Common types are access tokens, refresh tokens and JWTs (JSON Web Tokens). Tokens usually expire, so apps refresh them. A token is often sent in the Authorization header as 'Bearer <token>'. In AI and compilers, 'token' has other meanings.

Example sentences

  1. The request fails with 401 because the access token expired an hour ago.

  2. Store the refresh token securely and never write it to the logs.

Common collocations

  • access token
  • refresh the token
  • the token expired
  • bearer token
  • authenticationThe process of checking who a user or system is, for example with a password, a token or a fingerprint, before giving access.
  • authorizationThe process of checking what an identified user or app is allowed to do, for example whether they can read a file or delete an account.
  • API keyA unique secret code that a program sends with its requests so that the API can identify who is calling and decide what they are allowed to do.
  • status codeA three-digit number in an HTTP response that tells the client what happened, such as 200 for success, 404 for not found or 500 for a server error.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: APIs, Networking and Security

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: