POST vs PUT

Introduction

In web development, there are two HTTP methods that are commonly used for updating resources on a server: POST and PUT. Although they may seem similar, there are important differences between the two that a programmer needs to consider.

What is POST?

POST is used to submit an entity to the specified resource, often causing a change in state or side effects on the server. In other words, a POST request is typically used for creating a new resource or submitting data to the server.

What is PUT?

PUT is used to update or replace an existing resource on the server. Unlike POST, the PUT request must include the entire representation of the resource to be updated. In other words, a PUT request is used for modifying an existing resource.

Differences

1. Idempotence: One of the main differences between POST and PUT is that PUT is idempotent, while POST is not. Idempotence means that making the same request multiple times will produce the same result. With PUT, if you make the same request multiple times, you will get the same result because the resource is being completely replaced. With POST, each request creates a new resource, so multiple requests will create multiple resources.

2. Safety: Another difference between the two methods is that PUT is considered a safe method, while POST is not. A safe method is one that is intended only for information retrieval and should not change the state of the server. Since PUT only updates an existing resource, it does not change the state of the server. POST, on the other hand, creates a new resource or modifies the state of the server, so it is not considered safe.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when deciding between POST and PUT, consider what type of action you are performing. If you are creating a new resource, use POST. If you are updating an existing resource, use PUT. It is important to understand the differences between these two methods to ensure that your application is following RESTful principles and performing as expected.

# POST vs PUT

## Introduction
In web development, there are two HTTP methods that are commonly used for updating resources on a server: `POST` and `PUT`. Although they may seem similar, there are important differences between the two that a programmer needs to consider. 

## What is POST?
`POST` is used to submit an entity to the specified resource, often causing a change in state or side effects on the server. In other words, a `POST` request is typically used for creating a new resource or submitting data to the server. 

## What is PUT?
`PUT` is used to update or replace an existing resource on the server. Unlike `POST`, the `PUT` request must include the entire representation of the resource to be updated. In other words, a `PUT` request is used for modifying an existing resource. 

## Differences
**1. Idempotence:** One of the main differences between `POST` and `PUT` is that `PUT` is idempotent, while `POST` is not. Idempotence means that making the same request multiple times will produce the same result. With `PUT`, if you make the same request multiple times, you will get the same result because the resource is being completely replaced. With `POST`, each request creates a new resource, so multiple requests will create multiple resources.

**2. Safety:** Another difference between the two methods is that `PUT` is considered a safe method, while `POST` is not. A safe method is one that is intended only for information retrieval and should not change the state of the server. Since `PUT` only updates an existing resource, it does not change the state of the server. `POST`, on the other hand, creates a new resource or modifies the state of the server, so it is not considered safe.

## Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between `POST` and `PUT`, consider what type of action you are performing. If you are creating a new resource, use `POST`. If you are updating an existing resource, use `PUT`. It is important to understand the differences between these two methods to ensure that your application is following RESTful principles and performing as expected.