When a JavaScript function is executed, a new execution context is created, and a special object called the "execution context" is created. This execution context contains information about the function's variables and scope.

In a token-based authentication system, a "stateless" approach is used to reduce the risk of token interception and replay attacks. Stateful approaches require server-side storage, while stateless approaches are based on self-contained tokens, which do not rely on server-side storage, making them more secure.

In Node.js, the method used to establish a connection to a MongoDB database is mongoose.connect(). Mongoose is a widely used Node.js library for MongoDB that provides an elegant way to define data schemas and interact with MongoDB. The other options do not represent the standard way to connect to a MongoDB database in Node.js.

In JavaScript, inheritance can be implemented through Prototypal Inheritance. Objects can inherit properties and methods from other objects by setting their prototype. The other options describe alternative approaches to code reuse and object creation but don't involve direct inheritance.

When connecting to a SQL database in Node.js, the query() method is commonly used to execute SQL queries. This method is provided by most SQL database libraries for Node.js and allows you to send SQL queries to the database. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not standard methods for executing SQL queries in Node.js.

The principle of "least privilege" means giving users the fewest privileges necessary to perform their tasks. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches. The other options do not align with this security principle.

To mitigate prototype pollution vulnerabilities in JavaScript applications, it's crucial to validate and sanitize user input. This prevents malicious input from corrupting object prototypes. Avoiding third-party libraries and using strong typing are good practices but do not directly address prototype pollution. Disabling prototypes would break core JavaScript functionality.

The correct approach is to enable CORS on the server by adding the appropriate headers that allow cross-origin requests. Option A can be a workaround, but it's not the best practice. Option C is an outdated method, and option D is not a recommended security practice.

For optimal performance when querying a large dataset in a NoSQL database, it is crucial to have proper indexing in place. Indexes help the database quickly locate and retrieve the data, reducing query response times.

When configuring the static files directory in Express.js, the path specified is relative to the root directory of your project. This means that you specify the path from the root of your project's directory structure.

The principle of "sharding" involves dividing the dataset into smaller, more manageable parts, typically based on a certain criteria like range or hash, to distribute data across multiple servers or nodes in a distributed system. Sharding is a crucial concept in achieving horizontal scalability in databases.

The first argument passed to the request listener function when creating an HTTP server is the request object. This object contains information about the incoming HTTP request, such as headers, URL, and HTTP method. It allows you to read and process client requests.