What are text files used for tracking and maintaining user information called?

Cookies are small data files stored on a user's device by a web browser while browsing a website. They are primarily used to track and maintain user information, including user preferences, session information, and browsing behavior. By using cookies, websites can provide a more personalized experience, remembering user settings and login information across sessions. This persistence allows for smoother navigation and improved interaction with web applications.

While sessions are related to maintaining user state during a visit to a website, they typically exist only for the duration of that visit and are often stored on the server side rather than the client's device. Tags are generally used for annotating or describing information rather than tracking user data. Logs refer to records of events that have occurred and can include various types of information, but they are not specifically aimed at tracking individual user information as cookies are. Therefore, cookies are the most appropriate choice for the purpose of tracking and maintaining user information.