Authorization is typically granted through which mechanism?

Authorization in application design is fundamentally about granting or denying access to resources based on certain criteria. In the context of this question, roles serve as the primary mechanism for authorization, defining what permissions a user has within an application.

When a system assigns roles to users, it groups them based on their functions or responsibilities within that system. Each role encapsulates a set of permissions that control access to various features and resources. This hierarchical approach allows for easy management of user rights, as adding or modifying permissions can often be done at the role level rather than on an individual user basis.

For instance, in a typical application, you might have roles like "Admin," "Editor," and "Viewer." Each role has unique capabilities; the "Admin" might have all permissions including adding users and changing settings, while the "Viewer" might only have permission to view content.

In contrast, while sessions, tokens, and permissions play roles in the overall security framework, they do not primarily define the authorization structures. Sessions and tokens are more about session management and authentication respectively, ensuring that a user is who they claim to be, rather than dictating what actions they can perform. Permissions, while essential, typically are the specific rights granted and are often tied to the roles,