HTTP methods, also known as HTTP verbs, are used to indicate the desired action to be performed on the specified resource. The most common HTTP methods are:
- GET: Retrieves a representation of the resource identified by the URI. This is the most commonly used method and is used to retrieve web pages and other resources from a server.
- POST: Submits data to the server for processing. This method is used to send data to the server, such as when a user fills out a form on a web page.
- PUT: Replaces the current representation of the resource with a new one. This method is used to update existing resources on the server, such as when a user updates their profile information.
- DELETE: Deletes the resource identified by the URI. This method is used to delete resources on the server, such as when a user deletes an account.
- HEAD: Retrieves the headers of the resource identified by the URI. This method is similar to GET, but it only returns the headers of the response and not the message body.
- OPTIONS: Returns the HTTP methods that are supported by the server for the URI. This method is used to discover what methods are supported for the resource and to check if the server supports the method before sending the request.
- CONNECT: This method is used to establish a secure connection through a proxy server.
- TRACE: This method returns the request message as received by the server for diagnostic purpose.
- PATCH: This method is used to apply partial modifications to a resource.
Each of these methods has a specific purpose and is used in different scenarios. For example, GET is used to retrieve web pages and other resources, while POST is used to send data to the server for processing. It's important for web developers to understand when to use each method and how to implement them correctly in order to build robust and secure web applications.