Token

Token can mean one of several things:

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• In computer science, specifically lexical analysis, a token is usually a word or an atomic element within a string. Tokenizing is systematically replacing portions of a string by such corresponding token.
• A token may also be a piece of metal or other composition item used as a substitute for currency; see also exonumia or casino token.
• A token can be a small item used to represent players or other objects in games, particularly board games.
• In business or politics, a token can be a single person of a disadvantaged group hired very publicly so the organization can claim to be inclusive or representative.
• In South Park, Token Williams is the only black child on the show.
• A Token character is an supporting character with no real relevance to the plot but added to conform to expected standards, such as featuring ethnic minorities in a cast of predominantly whites. Typical purposes of token characters are comic relief, holding magical powers to aid the hero or as cannon-fodder to be killed off by villans while heroes survive.
• On railways, a token is a physical object given to a locomotive driver to authorize him to use a particular stretch of single track.
• In computing, a token is a virtual object that is passed between computers or other devices on a network and similarly authorizes them to communicate. Only the device with the token may communicate, to avoid clashing with other devices.
• In computer security, a token is a small physical device for storing cryptographic keys.
• In the Windows NT family of operating systems, a token is a system object representing the subject of access control operations.