HTTP GET Requests
GET requests are used for retrieving data from servers.
Using the GET method, data is sent in the URL as query parameters.
This method is commonly used for fetching web pages, images, JSON data, or other resources without altering the server state.
GET Characteristics
GET is idempotent
Meaning, no matter how many times we send the request, the server’s data remains unchanged. The request simply retrieves information, it does not modify anything on the server.
GET is cacheable
GET requests can be stored in the browser cache to speed up performance.
Visible Data
Query parameters are visible in the URL and browser history.
Length Limitations
URLs have length limits, which can restrict the amount of data sent.
There’s no HTTP standard that specifies a maximum length for URLs or headers.
But although HTTP doesn’t define a URL length limit, browser implementations impose their own restrictions.
For example Safari has a maximum URL limit of about 80,000 characters, while Firefox supports URLs up to approximately 65,536 characters.
GET is Less Secure
Sensitive data (e.g., passwords) should never be sent in a GET request.
The fact that GET method uses visible data makes it less secure for sending passwords or other sensitive data.
Also ,since GET requests use URLs, browsers save them in history.
If someone checks the history, they can see the password.
Public computers are especially risky.
HTTP POST Requests
Post requests are used to send data to the server (e.g., form submissions, API requests).
Data is sent in the request body (not in the URL).
We utilize Post requests when we want data to modify or create a resource on the server.
Such cases are when submitting forms (e.g., login, signup, checkout) or sending confidential data (e.g., API authentication tokens).
POST Characteristics
Post Method is Secure
Unlike GET, POST sends data in the request body, which is not logged in history, URLs, or headers.
Users cannot bookmark URLs with POST requests directly.
These characteristics make it the preferred request method for login, transactions, and private data.
Post Method can send large amounts of data
Theoretically, HTTP’s POST method has no data size limit.
In practice, while sending large amounts of data via POST is possible, we must always remember to review server configurations and bear in mind the consequences.
Post Method is not Idempotent
Unlike GET, POST requests modify server data, meaning sending the same request multiple times can create duplicate entries or unintended changes.
If we send the above request multiple times, multiple user accounts may be created!
Post Method cannot be cached
Each request is processed as new. Responses are typically not cached unless explicitly configured.
Conclusion
Whether to use GET or POST depends on what we want to accomplish.
GET requests are ideal for retrieving and sharing data; POST requests, on the other hand, offer the most secure method for submitting data to servers.
Although my blog doesn’t support comments, feel free to reply via email or X.