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HTTP Cookie Library Frequently Asked Questions
    1. What are Cookies?
    2. Where can I get more information about Cookies?
    3. What Browsers Support Cookies?
1. What are Cookies?
Short Answer:

A Cookie (Short for Persistent Client State HTTP Cookie) is sent through the headers of server-client interactions. They contain whatever information is set by the server. From then on, this information is transferred by the client to the server whenever it accesses a directory in the path and domain it was set from until it expires.

Long Answer:

From Netscape's Persistent Client State HTTP Cookies:

"Cookies are a general mechanism which server side connections (such as CGI scripts) can use to both store and retrieve information on the client side of the connection. The addition of a simple, persistent, client-side state significantly extends the capabilities of Web-based client/server applications."

One thing that cookies cannot do is read from your hard drive, get your e-mail address or anything else that a normal CGI cannot do. Cookies can only contain as much information about you as you disclose on the site which sets the cookie.
2. Where can I get more information about Cookies?
Netscape Persistent Client State HTTP Cookies Specification
The specifications to which this library conforms. Contains a lot of useful information on Cookies in general and how they can be used.

Cookie Central
Full Information On Persistent Cookies, HTTP cookies, Cookies with Javascript, Magic Cookies, Maintaining state with cookies, and more.
3. What Browsers Support Cookies?
Short Answer:

All recent browsers support cookies. The following is a list of some older ones that do as well: Netscape .94 Beta and Up, Microsoft Internet Explorer, GNNworks v1.2.0, NETCOMplete, NetManage Chameleon WebSurfer 5.0, OmniWeb 2.0.1 OWF 1.0, and Spyglass Mosaic 2.11 Win32 Spyglass 2.

Long Answer:

Well, this answer is shorter, but the site contains a lot of information. Digital is conducting tests, and the results can be seen at: Form Test Results for NetscapeCookie. Very comprehensive.

 

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