Introduction to 'put vs post vs patch'

When developing web applications, programmers often come across the terms 'put', 'post', and 'patch'. These are HTTP methods used to perform different types of operations on resources in a server. In this guide, we will explore the differences between 'put', 'post', and 'patch', and understand when to use each of them.

1. PUT

The PUT method is used to update an existing resource on the server. It replaces the entire resource with the new representation provided in the request payload. Here's an example of a PUT request:

PUT /api/users/1
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "John Doe",
  "age": 30,
  "email": "john.doe@example.com"
}

In this example, we are updating the user with ID 1 with a new set of data. The server replaces the existing user with the provided information.

2. POST

The POST method is used to create a new resource on the server. It submits data to be processed by the resource identified in the URI. Here's an example of a POST request:

POST /api/users
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "Jane Doe",
  "age": 25,
  "email": "jane.doe@example.com"
}

In this example, we are creating a new user by sending the user data to the server. The server generates a new ID for the user and stores it.

3. PATCH

The PATCH method is used to partially update an existing resource on the server. It only modifies the specified fields without replacing the entire resource. Here's an example of a PATCH request:

PATCH /api/users/1
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "Updated Name"
}

In this example, we are updating only the name of the user with ID 1. The server applies the changes to the specified fields, leaving the rest of the resource unchanged.

Summary

• Use PUT when you want to completely replace an existing resource.
• Use POST when you want to create a new resource.
• Use PATCH when you want to partially update an existing resource.

Understanding the differences between put, post, and patch helps developers design RESTful APIs and interact with server resources effectively.

Note: It's important to follow the HTTP method semantics and use the appropriate method for specific operations to ensure proper data manipulation and maintain the integrity of the server's resources.