Fundamentals of an HTTP Request

An HTTP request is how a client (e.g., a web browser or an app) communicates with a server over the web. Here's a breakdown of the basic components:

1. HTTP Methods (Verbs)

HTTP methods define the type of action to be performed:

• GET: Fetches data from the server (e.g., loading a webpage).
• POST: Sends data to the server, often to create a resource (e.g., submitting a form).
• PUT: Updates an existing resource or creates a new one if it doesn't exist.
• PATCH: Partially updates an existing resource.
• DELETE: Deletes a resource on the server.

2. URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

The URL specifies the endpoint on the server the request is directed to:

• Example: https://api.example.com/users/123
  • Protocol: https:// (HTTP or HTTPS)
  • Domain: api.example.com (server)
  • Path: /users/123 (resource location)

3. Headers

HTTP headers provide metadata about the request or the response:

• Common request headers:
  • Authorization: Contains authentication credentials like tokens.
  • Content-Type: Specifies the type of content being sent (e.g., JSON, HTML).
  • Accept: Specifies what types of content the client is willing to receive.

4. Body

The body contains data to be sent to the server, typically used in POST, PUT, or PATCH requests. The format is often JSON but can also be XML, form data, etc.

• Example (JSON body for creating a user):

  json
  Copy code
  {
    "name": "John Doe",
    "email": "[email protected]"
  }
  
  

5. Query Parameters

Query parameters are optional pieces of data added to the URL, often used to filter or modify the request: