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## HTTP Methods HTTP methods are like "action instructions" for your data. In RESTful API, we mainly use four methods, which correspond to four basic operations on data: | HTTP Method | Action | Corresponding Operation | Real-life Analogy | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | GET | Get data | Read | View menu | | POST | Create data | Create | Order food | | PUT | Update data | Update | Modify order | | DELETE | Delete data | Delete | Cancel order | ### GET Method GET is used to get data, just like asking the waiter "What dishes do you have today?" // Get all users GET /api/users // Get specific user GET /api/users/123 // Get user's orders GET /api/users/123/orders **Characteristics**: * Safe operation, does not modify data * Can be cached * Parameters are in the URL ### POST Method POST is used to create new data, just like telling the waiter "I want to order Kung Pao Chicken" // Create new user POST /api/users { "name": "Zhang San", "email": "zhangsan@example.com" } // Create new order POST /api/orders { "userId": 123, "items": ["Item A", "Item B"] } **Characteristics**: * Modifies server state * Not idempotent (multiple calls will create multiple resources) * Data is in the request body ### PUT Method PUT is used to update the entire resource, just like saying "Change my order to this" // Update user information PUT /api/users/123 { "name": "Li Si", "email": "lisi@example.com", "phone": "13800138000" } **Characteristics**: * Idempotent (multiple calls produce the same result) * Usually replaces the entire resource * If the resource doesn't exist, it may create a new resource ### DELETE Method DELETE is used to delete resource, just like saying "Cancel my order" // Delete user DELETE /api/users/123 // Delete order DELETE /api/orders/456 * Idempotent * Deletes the