difference between post and put
The terms “POST” and “PUT” are commonly used in the context of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) methods, which are used to communicate between a client and a server. While both methods are used to send data to a server, there are significant differences between them that affect how the data is processed and the intended use case. In this article, we will explore the key differences between POST and PUT methods.
1. Purpose and Use Case
The primary difference between POST and PUT methods lies in their purpose and use case. The POST method is typically used to create new resources on the server, while the PUT method is used to update existing resources. For instance, if you want to create a new user account on a website, you would use the POST method to send the user’s information to the server. Conversely, if you want to update an existing user’s information, you would use the PUT method to send the updated information to the server.
2. Request Body
Another key difference between POST and PUT methods is the handling of the request body. The POST method allows the inclusion of a request body in the HTTP request, which can contain the data needed to create a new resource. This request body is often used to send form data or JSON payload. On the other hand, the PUT method requires the inclusion of the entire updated resource in the request body. This means that when using PUT, you must send all the information needed to update the resource, even if some fields have not changed.
3. Uniform Resource Identifier (URI)
The URI is an essential part of an HTTP request, and its handling differs between POST and PUT methods. When using the POST method, the URI represents the endpoint where the new resource will be created. In contrast, the PUT method expects the URI to represent the existing resource that needs to be updated. This means that the URI used with the PUT method should be the URL of the resource you want to update, while the URI used with the POST method should be the URL of the endpoint where the new resource will be created.
4. Idempotency
Idempotency refers to the property of an operation that can be applied multiple times without changing the result beyond the initial application. The POST method is not idempotent, meaning that multiple identical POST requests can lead to the creation of multiple resources. In contrast, the PUT method is idempotent, as applying the same PUT request multiple times will result in the same updated resource being created. This makes PUT a more reliable choice for updating resources.
5. Status Codes
The HTTP status codes returned by the server upon receiving a POST or PUT request also differ. When using the POST method, the server typically returns a 201 Created status code if the new resource is successfully created. In contrast, when using the PUT method, the server returns a 200 OK status code if the update is successful. This distinction in status codes helps to differentiate between the two methods in terms of their outcomes.
In conclusion, the difference between POST and PUT methods lies in their purpose, request body handling, URI usage, idempotency, and status codes. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing robust and efficient web applications that leverage the full capabilities of HTTP methods.
