What are OAuth Grant Types?

OAuth 2.0 is an open standard designed for secure authorization, allowing users to grant third-party applications access to their information on other websites without sharing passwords. It functions through various "grant types," which are methods that applications use to obtain an access token from an authorization server, tailored to different applications and their security needs. The Authorization Code flow, often used for traditional web apps, is preferred for its security, especially when combined with PKCE for mobile and single-page apps. In contrast, the Implicit flow, once used for simpler client-side applications, is now discouraged due to security vulnerabilities. OAuth 2.0's flexibility and standardization help create secure user experiences by managing authorization intricately, with ongoing developments aiming to further refine these practices.