HTTP Methods: GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE
Complete guide to HTTP methods — idempotency, safe methods, status code conventions, and REST usage.
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Tags: HTTP methods guide, REST HTTP verbs, GET POST PUT DELETE difference
HTTP Methods: GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE HTTP methods define the intended action for a request. Each one carries semantic meaning that tells servers, caches, and proxies how to handle the request. Using the wrong method — POST where PUT is intended, or GET where DELETE belongs — breaks caching, retries, and REST conventions. This guide covers each method with idempotency rules, status code conventions, and real-world usage patterns. --- All the tools discussed here are available for free at theproductguy.in — client-side, no sign-up required. Part of the HTTP Debugging Tools Guide — a complete toolkit for diagnosing web requests. --- What is the seven standard methods? | Method | Safe | Idempotent | Body | Cacheable | |--------|------|-----------|------|-----------| | GET | Yes | Yes |…
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GET and POST?
GET is a read-only request that retrieves data without side effects — it's safe and idempotent. POST creates new resources or triggers actions with side effects. GET sends parameters in the URL query string; POST sends them in the request body. GET responses are cacheable by default; POST responses are not. Use GET for fetches, POST for mutations.
What does idempotent mean in HTTP?
An idempotent HTTP method produces the same result whether called once or multiple times. PUT, DELETE, GET, and HEAD are idempotent. POST is not — calling POST twice typically creates two resources. Idempotency is important for safe retry logic: if a DELETE request times out, you can safely retry it without worrying about deleting something twice.
When should I use PUT vs PATCH?
PUT replaces the entire resource — you send the full representation, and the server stores exactly what you sent. PATCH applies a partial update — you send only the fields you want to change. Use PUT when you always have the complete resource state. Use PATCH for efficiency when updating one field of a large object, as it avoids accidentally wiping unspecified fields.
What HTTP method does a form submit use?
HTML forms support only GET and POST. A form with method='get' appends fields as URL query parameters — good for searches. A form with method='post' sends fields in the body. PUT, PATCH, and DELETE are not natively supported by HTML forms and require JavaScript fetch or XMLHttpRequest to use.
What is a safe HTTP method?
A safe HTTP method is one that doesn't modify the server state — it has no side effects. GET, HEAD, and OPTIONS are safe. Safe methods may be cached, prefetched, and repeated freely. Safe does not mean secure — a GET request can still expose sensitive data. The concept of 'safe' is about state mutation, not access control.
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