HTTP Methods (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE)

In the world of web development, HTTP methods play a crucial role in defining how clients interact with web servers and perform different actions on resources. This article explores the significance of each HTTP method, such as GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and more, along with their appropriate use cases and best practices.

What are the 5 HTTP Methods?

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the foundation of communication on the World Wide Web. It is a protocol that defines how data is transmitted between a client and a server. The 5 primary HTTP request methods are GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE. These methods define the actions that can be performed on a resource identified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) during client-server communication over the World Wide Web.

1. GET: This method is used to retrieve data from a server. It requests a representation of the specified resource and should not result in any side effects on the server.
2. POST: This method is typically used to submit data to be processed by the server. It is often used for creating new resources or updating existing ones.
3. PUT: This method is used to create or replace a resource on the server with the request payload. If the resource already exists, it will be entirely replaced with the new payload.
4. PATCH: This method is used to partially update an existing resource on the server. It sends a set of instructions to modify the resource, rather than replacing it entirely.
5. DELETE: This method is used to delete a specific resource from the server.

While there are other HTTP methods like HEAD, OPTIONS, CONNECT, and TRACE, the five methods mentioned above (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE) are the most commonly used and form the foundation of communication between clients and servers over the HTTP protocol.

It is worth mentioning a new but powerful tool. called Apidog is an all-in-one API tool, that provides versatile HTTP methods for different usage scenarios. You can easily to create GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE request with visual interface.

GET

GET is an HTTP method used for retrieving data. It is known for its idempotent and safe characteristics and is commonly used to fetch resource information from the server. GET requests typically pass parameters in the form of a query string, and the response returns the result in the entity-body to the client.

Parameters for GET requests are usually passed in the URL, and they can be appended to the end of the URL in the form of a query string. For example, you can use a GET request to obtain information about a specific user: https://api.example.com/users?id=123. The server will return the corresponding user information based on the parameter's value.

When using GET requests, consider the following points:

• Parameters for GET requests are typically passed as a query string, separated by the "&" symbol, for example: https://api.example.com/users?id=123&name=John.
• GET requests have limitations on the length of the URL and parameters; an excessively long URL may be rejected or truncated by the server.
• GET request parameters can be cached, so they are not suitable for transmitting sensitive information.
• GET request parameters can be recorded in the server's access logs, so they are not suitable for transmitting sensitive information.

5 Ways to Make HTTP GET Requests

This post explores the essentials of GET requests in web development. By focusing on the core concept of sending GET requests, developers can gain a clearer understanding of this fundamental aspect of HTTP.

Apidog BlogDavid Demir

POST

POST Method is a commonly used HTTP method for sending data to an API. Unlike the PUT and DELETE methods, POST is typically used to create new resources and does not require the client to provide a complete representation of the resource.

Compared to the PUT method, POST is generally used for creating new resources, while PUT is used for updating existing resources. PUT requires the client to provide a complete representation of the resource, while POST does not have this requirement.

Additionally, PUT is usually idempotent, meaning that multiple identical PUT requests will produce the same result, while POST may not be idempotent. Here is a guide to the difference between GET and POST for you.

GET vs POST Request: The Difference Between HTTP Methods

GET requests retrieve data by appending parameters in the URL, suitable for non-sensitive information. POST requests submit data in the request body, keeping it hidden and secure, ideal for sensitive or large amounts of data.

Apidog BlogDavid Demir

DELETE

The DELETE method is an HTTP method used to remove or delete a resource from a server. It is commonly used to instruct the server to delete a specific resource identified by the provided URL or resource identifier. Unlike other HTTP methods like GET and POST, which retrieve or create resources, the DELETE method is specifically designed for resource deletion.

When a client sends a DELETE request to the server, it indicates that the client wants to remove the resource permanently. However, the server's response to a DELETE request may vary depending on the server's implementation. Some servers may return a successful response (e.g., status code 200) to confirm the deletion, while others may respond with a status code indicating that the resource was not found or cannot be deleted.

PUT

The PUT method is used to update or replace an existing resource on the server. It requires the client to send the complete representation of the resource to be updated.

This means that if a property is not included in the request, it will be removed from the resource on the server. PUT is idempotent, meaning that multiple identical requests will have the same effect as a single request.

How to Send a Curl DELETE Request

Curl can be used to send various types of requests like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE etc. In this article, we will see how to send a DELETE request using cURL.

Apidog LearningDavid Demir

PATCH

The PATCH method is used to partially update an existing resource on the server. Unlike the PUT method, which requires sending the complete representation of the resource, PATCH only requires sending the changes that need to be made. This can be useful when updating specific properties of a resource without affecting the rest of the resource's properties. PATCH is also idempotent.

The main difference between the PUT and PATCH methods is the level of granularity in updating resources.

PUT vs POST: Key Differences Explained

Both PUT and POST are request methods used in the HTTP protocol. So what is the difference between PUT and POST? In this article, we will introduce the HTTP methods such as PUT and POST in detail.

Apidog BlogDavid Demir

Apidog is highly recommended for its comprehensive support of versatile HTTP methods, making it an all-in-one solution for web developers. With user-friendly features and a focus on best practices, Apidog simplifies the management of HTTP methods, enhancing efficiency in API development. Explore Apidog to streamline your API testing and development workflow.