Explain PUT POST and PATCH

In HTTPS, the HTTP methods PUT, POST, and PATCH are used to perform operations on resources. Here's a differentiation of their purposes and behavior: POST: Purpose: Used to create new resources or submit data to a server. It appends the resource to an existing collection. Idempotency: Not idempotent; multiple identical POST requests will create multiple resources. Example: Submitting a registration form to create a new user. Response: Usually returns 201 Created and a URI pointing to the newly created resource. PUT: Purpose: Used to create or completely replace a resource at a specific URI. If the resource exists, it is updated; if it doesn't, it is created. Idempotency: Idempotent; multiple identical PUT requests will produce the same result (i.e., the same resource state). Example: Updating an entire profile with a new set of data. Response: Typically returns 200 OK (if updated) or 201 Created (if new resource is created). PATCH: Purpose: Used to partially update an existing resource. Only the fields provided in the request will be updated, leaving the rest unchanged. Idempotency: Idempotent; multiple identical PATCH requests will result in the same resource state. Example: Updating just the email address of a user profile without altering other fields. Response: Commonly returns 200 OK or 204 No Content. Key Differences Method Action Idempotency Typical Use Case POST Create new resource No Submitting forms or adding records to a database PUT Replace entire resource Yes Overwriting or creating a resource at a specific URI PATCH Update part of a resource Yes Modifying specific fields in a resource Each method is designed for specific operations, ensuring clarity and proper organization of HTTP operations.

Apr 5, 2025 - 02:19

In HTTPS, the HTTP methods PUT, POST, and PATCH are used to perform operations on resources. Here's a differentiation of their purposes and behavior:

POST:

Purpose: Used to create new resources or submit data to a server. It appends the resource to an existing collection.
Idempotency: Not idempotent; multiple identical POST requests will create multiple resources.
Example: Submitting a registration form to create a new user.
Response: Usually returns 201 Created and a URI pointing to the newly created resource.

PUT:

Purpose: Used to create or completely replace a resource at a specific URI. If the resource exists, it is updated; if it doesn't, it is created.
Idempotency: Idempotent; multiple identical PUT requests will produce the same result (i.e., the same resource state).
Example: Updating an entire profile with a new set of data.
Response: Typically returns 200 OK (if updated) or 201 Created (if new resource is created).

PATCH:
- Purpose: Used to partially update an existing resource. Only the fields provided in the request will be updated, leaving the rest unchanged.
- Idempotency: Idempotent; multiple identical PATCH requests will result in the same resource state.
- Example: Updating just the email address of a user profile without altering other fields.
- Response: Commonly returns 200 OK or 204 No Content.

Key Differences

Method	Action	Idempotency	Typical Use Case
POST	Create new resource	No	Submitting forms or adding records to a database
PUT	Replace entire resource	Yes	Overwriting or creating a resource at a specific URI
PATCH	Update part of a resource	Yes	Modifying specific fields in a resource

Each method is designed for specific operations, ensuring clarity and proper organization of HTTP operations.