Difference betwen GET and POST

The main differences between GET and POST HTTP methods are:

1. Purpose

• GET: Used to request data from a server (e.g., loading a webpage, fetching search results).

• POST: Used to send data to a server (e.g., submitting a form, uploading a file).

2. Data Visibility

• GET: Data is sent via the URL (visible in the address bar).
  Example:
  https://example.com/search?query=hello

• POST: Data is sent in the request body (not visible in the URL).

3. Data Length Limit

• GET: Limited by URL length (typically 2048 characters in most browsers).

• POST: No strict limit (can send large amounts of data).

4. Caching

• GET: Can be cached by browsers and servers.

• POST: Not cached by default (since it modifies data).

5. Security

• GET: Less secure (data is exposed in the URL and browser history).

• POST: More secure (data is hidden in the request body).

6. Idempotency

• GET: Idempotent (repeating the same request has no side effects).

• POST: Not idempotent (repeating may cause multiple submissions, like placing duplicate orders).

7. Back/Refresh Behavior

• GET: Safe to refresh or go back (no data resubmission).

• POST: Browser warns about resubmitting data (can cause duplicate actions).

8. Use Cases

• GET: Retrieving search results, loading pages, bookmarking URLs.

• POST: Logging in, submitting forms, making payments.
  
  

  Summary Table

  Feature	GET	POST
  Data Location	URL (visible)	Request body (hidden)
  Data Length	Limited (~2048 chars)	No strict limit
  Caching	Yes	No
  Security	Less secure (exposed)	More secure (hidden)
  Idempotent	Yes (safe to repeat)	No (may cause duplicates)
  Use Case	Fetching data	Submitting/modifying data

  When to Use Which?

  • Use GET for safe operations (fetching data).

  • Use POST for operations that modify data (login, payments, forms).