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What are HTTP methods?

HTTP is a request-response protocol between a client and a server.

HTTP methods indicate what action should be performed for requesting a specific resource.

These methods are also called HTTP verbs. The resource is the noun.

CRUD refers to the ways that stored data can be operated. It also refers to the four basic functions of persistent storage and maps to the four major HTTP methods (see below).

HTTP request methods can be considered:

  • Safe, if they do not alter the state of the server (read-only operation).

  • Idempotent, if an identical request can be made (once or more) without changing the original result (i.e., no side effects).

  • Cacheable, if they can be cached (stored for retrieval), saving a new request to the server.

HTTP Methods

GET

Read / request data from a resource.

Safe / idempotent / cacheable

POST

Create a resource.

Not safe / Not idempotent / Not cacheable

PUT

Update a resource.

Not safe / Idempotent / Not cacheable

DELETE

Remove a resource.

Not safe / Idempotent / Not cacheable

Read / request data (same as GET) from a resource but without a response body.

Safe / idempotent / cacheable

PATCH

Apply partial modifications to a resource.

Not safe / Not idempotent / Not cacheable

OPTIONS

Describe the communication options for a resource.

Safe / Idempotent / Not cacheable

CONNECT

Establish a tunnel to the server identified by a resource.

Not safe / Not idempotent / Not cacheable

TRACE

Perform a message loop-back test along the path to a resource.

Safe / Idempotent / Not cacheable


Sources