Understanding HTTP Methods: A Comprehensive Guide to PUT vs POST

HTTP methods like PUT and POST are the backbone of how we handle resources in web apps. In this all-in-one guide, we're diving deep into these methods, breaking down their differences, and figuring out when to use each one in your API setup.

What’s the PUT HTTP Method?

PUT is all about updating or creating a resource at a specific URL. Here’s the lowdown on PUT:

• Resource Identification: The URL itself is the resource’s ID.
• Request Body: It carries the full, updated resource.
• Idempotency: Sending the same PUT request again? You’ll get the same result.
• Resource Handling: If the resource is there, it gets completely replaced with what’s in the request body. If it’s not, a new resource is born.

So, if you wanna completely swap out an existing resource with fresh data, PUT’s your go-to for RESTful APIs.

What’s the POST HTTP Method?

Then there's POST, which submits data to a specific URL to make a new resource. Here’s what you need to know about POST:

• URL Handling: It tells where the request data will be processed.
• Request Body: Holds the data for crafting a new resource.
• Non-Idempotent: Do the same POST request twice, and you might get different results each time.
• Resource Creation: Mostly for creating new stuff, and sometimes it can work with an empty body.

POST is super flexible and handy when you need to whip up new instances of resources, like adding a new user or posting a comment.

PUT vs. POST in Action

Let’s look at how these two work with some examples:

// PUT example
PUT /users/1
{
  "id": 1,
  "name": "Ichiro",
  "age": 22
}

This PUT request updates the user with ID 1 with new info.

// POST example
POST /users
{
  "name": "Saburo",
  "age": 18
}

This POST request creates a brand-new user with the given details.

Key Differences Between PUT and POST

Here are the main differences:

• Request Body: PUT sends the full updated resource. POST sends data for creating something new.
• URL Usage: PUT directly identifies the resource. POST specifies the collection where the resource will go.
• Idempotency: PUT requests are idempotent (same result every time). POST requests aren’t.
• Resource Handling: PUT replaces the whole resource. POST can either partially update or create new resources.

EchoAPI: Supporting All HTTP Methods

EchoAPI is your ultra-lightweight solution for API development, supporting all HTTP methods without breaking a sweat. Whether you're dealing with PUT, POST, or any other HTTP method, EchoAPI's got your back with design, debugging, automated testing, and load testing tools. Perfect for replacing Postman, with handy plugins for IntelliJ IDEA, VS Code, and a Chrome request capture extension, all without needing to log in.

• No login required
• Supports Scratch Pad
• Ultra lightweight
• 100% compatible with Postman script syntax

Discover EchoAPI and make your API development process smoother, from designing to testing and beyond. With EchoAPI, managing HTTP methods like PUT and POST is a breeze. It's free to get started—jump into your API development journey with EchoAPI today!