RESTful Routing RESTful HTTP Methods

Learning Objective:
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe the CRUD functionalities associated with common HTTP request methods and explain how they are used in API development.

What Are HTTP Requests?

Before we dive into RESTful HTTP methods, let’s start with the basics: HTTP stands for “Hypertext Transfer Protocol.” It’s the foundation of how the internet works—allowing computers to send and receive information.

When you type a URL into your browser and press Enter, your computer sends a message (called an HTTP request) to the server that hosts the website. The server then sends back a response, such as a webpage, an image, or some other information.

HTTP requests typically consist of:

1. A method: This indicates what action you want to perform (ex: get information, send data, update something, or delete something).
2. A URL or endpoint: This specifies where the request is going (ex: /books, /users, etc.).
3. Optional data: Some requests include data (ex: sending a form or uploading a file).

HTTP Methods and CRUD Operations

In web development, we use HTTP methods to perform different actions on data. These actions often align with CRUD operations:

• Create
• Read
• Update
• Delete

Here is a summary of how HTTP methods correspond to CRUD operations:

Real-World Examples of HTTP Methods

1. GET: Reading Data
   When you visit an online store and browse products, you’re making a GET request to the server. For example:

   • URL: /products
   • Action: The server sends back a list of all products.

2. POST: Creating New Data
   When you sign up for a website, you’re making a POST request. For example:

   • URL: /users
   • Data: { "username": "new_user", "email": "new_user@example.com", "password": "S3Cr3tP@SsW0Rd" }
   • Action: The server creates a new user account.

3. PUT: Replacing Data
   Imagine updating your entire profile. You might send a PUT request with all your profile information:

   • URL: /users/123
   • Data: { "name": "John Doe", "email": "john.doe@example.com" }
   • Action: The server replaces your profile with the new data.

4. PATCH: Partially Updating Data
   If you only want to change your email address, you might send a PATCH request:

   • URL: /users/123
   • Data: { "email": "new_email@example.com" }
   • Action: The server updates just the email field.

5. DELETE: Removing Data
   When you delete an account or remove a post, you’re making a DELETE request:

   • URL: /posts/456
   • Action: The server removes the specified post.

Comparing GET and POST

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between GET and POST requests: