REST API is a widely used approach for building scalable web applications. However, , developers often face the dilemma of choosing between the PUT and POST methods. Both PUT and POST methods have their own use cases and advantages, and it is essential to understand their differences to use them effectively.

PUT Method: The PUT method is used to update an existing resource or create a new resource if it doesn’t exist. PUT method is idempotent, which means that it can be called multiple times without changing the result. It is often used to update a single field or a few fields of an existing resource, and the entire resource must be sent with the PUT request.

POST Method: The POST method is used to create a new resource. The POST method is not idempotent, which means that it cannot be called multiple times without changing the result. The POST method is often used for creating a new record in a database or uploading a file. In contrast to PUT, the POST method doesn’t require the entire resource to be sent with the request.

GET vs POST: GET is used to retrieve data from the server, and the data is sent in the URL. POST is used to send data to the server, and the data is sent in the request body. GET is idempotent, while POST is not. Therefore, GET can be cached, and multiple identical requests will produce the same result.

In conclusion, choosing the right method for the right task is crucial when building REST APIs. PUT is used to update an existing resource, while POST is used to create a new resource. GET is used to retrieve data, while POST is used to send data to the server. By understanding the differences between these methods, developers can create REST APIs that are easy to use and maintain. For more information and a comprehensive guide on HTTP PUT vs POST methods in REST API, visit .