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.
A server, when returning an HTTP object to a client, may also send a name=value pair which the client will store. Included in that state object is a description of the range of URLs for which that state is valid, consisting of the domain and a URL path. Any future HTTP requests made by the client which fall in that range will include a transmittal of the current value of the state object from the client back to the server. The state object is called a cookie for "no compelling reason" according to Netscape.
This technical note and sample database together provide a foundation upon which an intelligent web site that promotes a positive relationship with its viewers (the customers) can be based.

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