Cookies are small pieces of data that websites store on a user’s computer. They are commonly used to remember user preferences, maintain sessions, and provide personalized experiences. In JavaScript, you can create, read, and delete cookies to manage user data.

Creating a Cookie

Before we dive into deleting a cookie, let’s quickly review how to create a cookie in JavaScript. To create a cookie, use the document.cookie property and set it equal to a string containing the desired cookie name, value, and optional parameters.

document.cookie = "cookieName=cookieValue; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 UTC; path=/;"

In the above example, we set a cookie named “cookieName” with the value “cookieValue”. We also set an expiration date for the cookie using the expires parameter. The path parameter specifies the path where the cookie is accessible.

Deleting a Cookie

To delete a cookie, set the expires parameter to a date in the past. By doing this, the browser will automatically remove the cookie.

document.cookie = "cookieName=; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 UTC; path=/;"

In the above example, we set the expires parameter to a past date (January 1, 1970), effectively deleting the cookie named “cookieName”. Don’t forget to set the same path parameter that was used when creating the cookie.

Example Function to Delete a Cookie

Here’s an example function that you can use to delete a cookie in JavaScript:

function deleteCookie(cookieName) {
  document.cookie = cookieName + "=; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 UTC; path=/;";
}

You can call this function by passing the name of the cookie you want to delete as a parameter, like this:

deleteCookie("cookieName");

Conclusion

Deleting cookies in JavaScript is a straightforward process. By setting the expires parameter to a date in the past, you can effectively delete a cookie and remove it from the user’s browser. Remember to set the same path parameter as used when creating the cookie to ensure proper deletion.

#JavaScript #Cookies