httpMethod

An httpMethod is a fundamental component of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), the foundational protocol of data communication for the World Wide Web. It defines the action to be performed on a resource identified by a URI. Essentially, it tells the server what the client wants to do with the requested data.

Common httpMethods include GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and OPTIONS. The GET method is used to retrieve data from a specified resource. It is idempotent, meaning that making the same GET request multiple times will have the same effect as making it once. The POST method is used to submit data to be processed to a specified resource. This can result in a change in state or side effects on the server. PUT is used to upload a representation of the specified resource. If the resource already exists, it is updated, and if it doesn't, it may be created. DELETE requests are used to remove a specified resource. OPTIONS is used to describe the communication options for the target resource.

HTTP methods are case-sensitive and must be written in uppercase letters. The choice of httpMethod is crucial for proper API design and web application functionality, ensuring that client requests are interpreted and handled correctly by the server. Understanding these methods is key to comprehending how web resources are accessed and manipulated.