api: YAML JSON TOON Database
version: 1.0.0
format: json
dataset:
  slug: http-methods
  title: HTTP Methods
  description: Complete reference of HTTP methods with descriptions and typical use cases.
  summary: "The nine HTTP request methods with a description and whether the request carries a body: GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS, TRACE and CONNECT."
  use_when:
    - You need the purpose of an HTTP method or whether it carries a body.
    - You are checking which methods a client may send.
  caveats:
    - For safety and idempotence properties, see the HTTP methods reference dataset.
    - TRACE and CONNECT are rarely used by applications, and TRACE is usually disabled for security.
  related:
    - http-methods-reference
    - http-request-headers
    - http-response-headers
    - http-status-codes-complete
  category: Web Technologies
  category_slug: web-technologies
  tags: web,http,methods,api,rest
  view_count: 0
  entry_count: 9
  fields:
    - section: data
      field: method
      type: string
      example: GET
    - section: data
      field: description
      type: string
      example: Retrieves a resource. Safe, idempotent. Should …
    - section: data
      field: request_body
      type: boolean
      example: "false"
data:
  - method: GET
    description: Retrieves a resource. Safe, idempotent. Should not modify server state.
    request_body: false
  - method: POST
    description: Submits data to the server. Not idempotent. Creates a new resource.
    request_body: true
  - method: PUT
    description: Replaces a resource at a specific URI. Idempotent.
    request_body: true
  - method: PATCH
    description: Partially updates a resource. Not idempotent in general.
    request_body: true
  - method: DELETE
    description: Removes a resource at a specific URI. Idempotent.
    request_body: false
  - method: HEAD
    description: Same as GET but returns only headers, no body. Safe, idempotent.
    request_body: false
  - method: OPTIONS
    description: Returns the allowed HTTP methods for a URL. Used for CORS preflight.
    request_body: false
  - method: TRACE
    description: Echoes back the received request. Used for debugging. Rarely implemented.
    request_body: false
  - method: CONNECT
    description: Establishes a tunnel to the server. Used for HTTPS via proxy.
    request_body: false