What is the difference between the "signIn()" and "acquireToken()" methods in MSAL?

Question

Can someone explain the difference between the "signIn()" and "acquireToken()" methods in Microsoft Authentication Library (MSAL)? I am also curious about when to use "acquireTokenSilent()" versus "AcquireToken()" and if "signIn()" is necessary for signing in the user or if "acquireToken()" takes care of authentication for all apps.

Answer 1

Hi @Shreyas Rastogi , the signIn() method is used to explicitly sign in a user. This method is necessary when you want to authenticate a user and establish a session. It involves user interaction, such as entering credentials, and is typically used when the user first accesses the application.

The acquireToken() method is used to obtain an access token for accessing protected resources. This method can be called after the user has signed in. It can also involve user interaction if the token is not available in the cache or if additional authentication is required.

When it comes to acquireTokenSilent() versus acquireToken(), the acquireTokenSilent() method is used to silently acquire a token without user interaction. It checks the token cache for a valid token and only makes a network request if the token is expired or not available. This method is useful for refreshing tokens in the background and ensuring a seamless user experience

The acquireToken() method may involve user interaction if the token is not available in the cache or if additional authentication is required. This method is typically used when the application needs to obtain a new token and user interaction is acceptable

signIn() is necessary for signing in the user and establishing an initial session, while acquireToken() is used to obtain access tokens for accessing protected resources. The acquireTokenSilent() method is used to silently refresh tokens without user interaction.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I can help you further.

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Thank you,

James