Which application type can support a Service Provider (SP) initiated flow?

The application type that can support a Service Provider (SP) initiated flow is SAML. This is due to the way SAML authentication works, specifically in the context of federated identity solutions.

In a Service Provider-initiated flow, the user starts the login process from the SP's application. When the user attempts to access a protected resource, the SP sends an authentication request to the Identity Provider (IdP). The IdP then authenticates the user and sends a SAML assertion back to the SP, allowing the user to access the resource without having to log in directly through the IdP first.

This process is essential for SAML because it provides a seamless experience for users who are accessing services directly from the SP's side. Other application types like Bookmark, OAuth, and SCIM serve different purposes in identity management. Bookmark primarily serves as a method for users to quickly access a URL, and does not facilitate authentication flows. OAuth is used for delegated access, allowing users to grant third-party applications access to their resources without sharing credentials, but does not specifically cover SP-initiated flows in the same manner as SAML.

SCIM (System for Cross-domain Identity Management) is focused on managing user identities and enabling user provisioning rather than handling