What happens to Session Variables when the session times out?

When a session times out, session variables become invalid and any data stored in those variables is lost. This is a fundamental behavior of session management in web applications, where session variables are used to store temporary data relevant to a user's session. When the session ends due to inactivity or a timeout, the server typically clears that session data to free up resources and maintain the integrity and security of the application.

Session variables are designed for temporary storage, allowing data to persist only during the user's active engagement with the application. Once the session expires, the context in which those variables were created is no longer available, leading to the data being discarded. This ensures that sensitive information does not linger on the server longer than necessary and helps prevent unauthorized access in future sessions.

This behavior is crucial in web development, particularly for applications that require secure handling of user data, ensuring that once a session is closed, the data associated with it cannot be inadvertently accessed or reused.