Session
A session begins when a user logs in to or accesses a particular computer, program or web page and ends when the user logs out of or shuts down the computer, closes the program or web page. A session can temporarily store information related to the activities of the user while logged in. A session cookie is used in web pages for storing information incase the user leaves the web page or closes down their Internet browser. For example, this is one way a website can remember what is in your shopping cart if you leave and come back.
In computer programming, session variables are often times used to store temporary information, sometimes to use for retrieving and viewing data on multiple web pages. Almost all web sites requiring a username and password for access will utilize session variables or objects to help transfer data between web pages, but only while the user is logged in.
Also see: Login