GET • POST • PATCH • DELETE

Introduction

When an application communicates with an API or database, it needs a way to tell the system what it wants to do. Methods are used to send different types of requests, such as getting information, adding new information, changing existing information, or deleting information.

GET means getting information from an API or database. It is used when an application wants to retrieve data without changing it. For example, a website could use GET to get a list of users, products, or posts from a database.

POST is used to send or add new information. A developer could use POST to create something new in a database. For example, when a user creates a new account or submits a new discussion post, the application could use POST to save that information.

PATCH means making a change to something that already exists. To "patch" something could mean updating only part of an existing piece of information instead of replacing everything. For example, a user could change just their username without changing the rest of their account.

DELETE means removing something from a database or application. When this method is used, the selected information could be permanently removed. For example, deleting a discussion post could use a DELETE request to remove that post from the database.

GET, POST, PATCH, and DELETE can all work together in one application. For example, a discussion board could use GET to display posts, POST to create a new post, PATCH to edit a post, and DELETE to remove a post. Using these methods gives the application different ways to communicate with the database.

Overall, I understand these four methods as different ways an application can interact with data. GET retrieves information, POST creates new information, PATCH updates existing information, and DELETE removes information. Together, they allow an application to manage data through an API.