What are API request methods?
APIs utilize various request methods that define how a client app is allowed to interact with online systems. These particular approaches usually revolve around acquiring and manipulating information stored in those systems.
To be specific, there exist five popular kinds of API request methods: GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE.
Consequently seeking information is made easy via GET requests, while creating fresh details may only be accomplished through POST logic. Updating older information must be done using PUT protocol, while PATCH may alter it if needed, and DELETE will remove any redundant files. Powerful, dynamic applications can be created by effectively utilizing a combination of methods distinguished by their unique purposes and applications.
Here is a high-level overview of several types of API methods:
- GET method: retrieves information or data from a specified resource
- POST method: submits data to be processed to a specified resource
- PUT method: updates a specified resource with new data
- DELETE method: deletes a specified resource
- PATCH method: partially updates a specified resource
- OPTIONS method: retrieves the supported HTTP methods of a server endpoint
- HEAD method: retrieves only the headers of a response without the response body
- CONNECT method: establishes a network connection to a resource, typically used for SSL/TLS tunneling
- TRACE method: echoes the received request back to the client, for debugging purposes
API methods are typically used to interact with web services or web applications, allowing developers to access and manipulate data or functionality from a remote source.