To handle user authentication and password reset functionality in a web application, you can follow these steps:
1. Create a user registration page where users can create an account by providing their contact information and a secure password.
2. Implement a login page that verifies the user’s email/username and password against the stored credentials in your database.
3. Use password hashing techniques, such as bcrypt, to securely store passwords in the database.
4. Set up a password reset functionality by allowing users to request a password reset through their email.
5. Generate a unique token and send it to the user’s email address, which can be used to verify the user’s identity during the password reset process.
6. Create a password reset page where users can enter their new password along with the token received in their email, and validate the token before updating the password.
By following these steps, you can ensure secure user authentication and a reliable password reset functionality for your web application.