Simply What is the Goal of OAuth?

OAuth (Open Authorization) is a framework.

So, OAuth is a system that allows third-party apps to access certain data or resources securely, without needing your password. Its main purpose is to give apps limited access to what they need, keeping everything else safe.

That allows third-party applications to access resources (such as APIs) on behalf of a user or a service, but in a limited and controlled manner. Here’s what that means:

1. On Behalf of a User:

When an application needs access to certain user data or actions, it doesn’t require the user’s credentials (username/password). Instead, the user grants the application limited access by authorizing it to act on their behalf. OAuth facilitates this by allowing the user to grant permission via a token, which defines:

• What the app can do (like reading your profile or sending emails).
• For how long the app has access.
• What specific resources the app can access (like certain APIs or services).

This occurs in authorization flows like the Authorization Code Grant or Implicit Grant, where a user grants permission to a third-party…