HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It is an application layer protocol in the Internet Protocol suite model for hypermedia information systems, collaborative, and distributed systems, etc. We can find several HTTP methods to solve multiple problems online. This article will explain about PUT vs POST methods. We can test public APIs using these methods.
For example, if we have to test public APIs or retrieve data from the web server, we can use the “GET” HTTP method. Now, if we want to get an image from a website, then we can use this command:
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GET https://website.com/path/to/image.jpg |
Apart from the “GET” method, there are many other HTTP methods. These methods are listed below:
- PUT
- POST
- HEAD
- DELETE
- CONNECT
- TRACE
- OPTIONS
Developers sometimes confuse POST and PUT methods. For example, which method to use where in the code? Or what’s an API testing process through POST or PUT?
This article will highlight all those aspects that differentiate HTTP PUT and POST methods. Continue reading!
Table of Contents
What Are HTTP PUT And POST In REST API? Explain PUT Vs POST.
Before proceeding with the HTTP methods, we must know about the REST API
What Is REST API?
Roy Fielding developed REST, which means representational state transfer. REST API, also known as RESTful API, is a web application programming interface.
The REST API allows us to interact with RESTful web services. Moreover, it adopts a REST architectural style.
Simply put, we can say that REST helps us to communicate between two computers using HTTP technologies. The HTTP technologies are mostly found in web servers or web browsers.
SOAP vs REST:
People also sometimes confuse REST with SOAP. Therefore, you should know that SOAP has a rigid set of patterns compared to REST.
What is PUT method?
If we want to update the available resource on the server, the PUT method can be helpful.
Typically, we can say that the PUT method replaces the target URL with a different resource.
We can use the PUT method to overwrite an existing resource or create a new resource. Some examples of PUT are listed below:
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HTTP PUT http://www.google.com/users/234 HTTP PUT http://www.google.com/users/234/accounts/567 |
The request is given as under:
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PUT /new.html HTTP/1.1 Host: example.com Content-type: text/html Content-length: 20 <p>New File</p> |
If the target resource is modified with the enclosed representation, then there should be two responses from the server.
First response = 200(OK)
Second response = 204(No Content)
If there is no representation from the target resource, then the server should inform the user through a 201 (Created) code.
For example:
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HTTP/1.1 201 Created Content-Location: /new.html |
What is POST method?
If we want to send user-generated data to the web server, then the POST HTTP method is useful.
For example, if we upload a profile picture or comment on any forum, it will happen using the POST method.
An important thing to note is that we should use the POST method only when we don’t know the specific URL of our newly created resource.
Let’s suppose we created a forum thread. If the path of the thread is not specified, we can use the following:
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POST /forums HTTP/2.0 Host: yourwebsite.com |
This method will give us the URL path from the origin server and a response similar to:
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HTTP/2.0 201 Created Location: /forums/<new_thread> |
In simple words, we can say that the POST method helps to create subordinates. The request URI identifies the subordinates or child resources.
How to explain PUT Vs POST in REST APIs?
The differences between these two methods are often asked in REST API interview questions. Some of the key differences between the POST method and the PUT method requests are listed below:
- PUT is an idempotent while POST is not an idempotent method.
- The PUT method is used when we want to overwrite an existing resource or create a resource.
- On the other hand, the POST method helps to create a subordinate resource under a collection of resources.
- Syntax of the PUT method is:
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PUT /questions/{question-id} |
while the syntax of the POST method is:
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POST /questions. |
- We can cache PUT method responses, but not POST method responses.
- PUT gives you the same results if we send the same request multiple times. On the other hand, the same POST request gives us different results each time.
- PUT is specific, while POST is abstract.
- PUT uses the UPDATE query while POST uses the CREATE query.
- PUT lets us decide the resource URI, while POST lets the server decide the URI of the resource.
What Are The Uses? PUT vs POST
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Use PUT for update operations.
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Use POST for create operations.
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PUT = modify existing resource in a collection.
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POST = add a child resource into a collection.
PUT vs POST With Examples
Now if we take an example of networking and we need to use PUT and POST requests. Then we can code as under:
PUT:
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GET /device-management/devices/{id} : Get the device information identified by "id" PUT /device-management/devices/{id} : Update the device information identified by "id" DELETE /device-management/devices/{id} : Delete device by "id" |
POST:
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GET /device-management/devices : Get all devices POST /device-management/devices : Create a new device |
We can take another example of put and post that is linked with testing APIs. If we want to test APIs using PUT or POST, we will do it as under:
Testing APIs with PUT:
- Update resources
- Use GET to retrieve data
Testing APIs with POST:
- Create resources. (make sure it gives status code 200)
- Use GET to save data.
- Adding tests. (It will ensure that the results fail in case of incorrect data).
How To Use APILayer REST APIs To Improve Developer’s Productivity?
APILayer REST APIs help create applications and improve developers’ productivity. We can use it in the following ways:
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APILayer REST APIs make it easier for developers to test, build, and integrate features without writing everything from scratch. Here are examples where POST and PUT are useful in real-world APILayer products:
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IPstack API: Use GET requests to fetch IP geolocation. Developers can POST logs or user sessions to a database while PUT updates an existing session with location changes.
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Fixer API: Fetch currency exchange rates with GET, but POST can be used to create saved conversion histories, and PUT can update stored exchange data.
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Weatherstack API: GET real-time or historical weather data. Developers can POST weather alerts to their apps and PUT updates for existing alerts.
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Marketstack API: GET stock prices and POST new tracking preferences for a portfolio. PUT requests can update existing watchlists.
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Userstack API: GET device/browser data. Developers can POST new user profiles and PUT to update existing ones.
By integrating these REST APIs:
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Developers save time with ready-to-use endpoints.
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APIs make apps scalable and feature-rich.
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PUT and POST methods allow efficient testing, updating, and creation of resources.
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FAQs
What Is A PUT Request?
PUT request URI refers to creating a new resource or modifying an already existing resource.
What Is HTTPS POST?
It sends user-generated data to the server. For example, we can upload profile pictures or comment on any forum using a POST request.
How To Use PUT?
You can use PUT through the following syntax:
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PUT /questions/{question-id} |
What Is Post Method?
The POST method requests that the origin server accept a message in an enclosed entity. In simple words, it helps to create operations.
What Is A POST Request?
POST request helps to add a new subordinate to the resource identified by URI.
When you use a POST request multiple times, it will give you different results.
POST request identifies the resource that will accept the enclosed entity.
When To Use GET and POST in REST API?
GET requests are helpful in retrieving data, while POST requests help to create data while designing APIs.
Is PUT always safer than POST in REST APIs?
No. PUT is idempotent but not inherently safer. Both must be secured with HTTPS and proper authentication.
Can I use PUT to partially update a resource?
Typically, PUT replaces the whole resource. For partial updates, the PATCH method is more suitable.
Why can’t we cache POST requests like GET or PUT?
POST is non-idempotent, meaning the same request can create different results, making it unsafe for caching.
Which APILayer API is best to test PUT vs POST?
You can test with IPstack (for location data updates) or Marketstack (for portfolio watchlist updates).
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