What is the difference between GET and POST methods in HTTP?

GET vs POST methods in HTTP

GET and POST are two common methods used in HTTP protocol for sending requests to a web server.

GET Method:

The GET method is used to request data from a specified resource. When a client sends a GET request, the data is appended to the URL in the form of query parameters. This method is suitable for retrieving data from the server and should not be used for sensitive information.

• GET requests are idempotent, meaning they can be repeated without causing changes on the server.
• GET requests can be cached by the browser and are visible in the browser history.

POST Method:

The POST method is used to submit data to the server to create or update a resource. In a POST request, the data is sent in the request body, allowing for larger amounts of data to be transferred. This method is suitable for sensitive information like passwords or user data.

• POST requests are not idempotent, meaning they can cause changes on the server.
• POST requests are not cached by the browser and are not visible in the browser history.

In summary, the main difference between GET and POST methods in HTTP is how the data is transmitted - GET appends data to the URL while POST sends data in the request body.