Method

01 · What is it?

What is it?

An HTTP method tells the server what type of action the client wants to perform.

Common methods include GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE.

Simple Definition: A method tells the API what kind of action you want.

02 · Think of it like...

Think of it like...

Think of an endpoint as a resource.

The method tells the system what you want to do with that resource.

Resource

+

Method

=

Action

Example:

Orders

+

GET

=

Read Orders

Orders

+

POST

=

Create Order

03 · What does it do?

What does it do?

Methods commonly describe actions such as:

GET

POST

PUT

PATCH

DELETE

Read Data

Create Data

Replace Data

Update Part of Data

Delete Data

04 · Where is it used?

Where is it used?

HTTP methods are used in:

REST APIs

Web Applications

Mobile Applications

System Integrations

API Testing

API Documentation

05 · Example

Example

GET /api/orders

Retrieve orders.

POST /api/orders

Create an order.

PATCH /api/orders/1001

Update part of an order.

DELETE /api/orders/1001

Delete an order.

The endpoint may stay similar while the method changes the requested action.

06 · How it connects

How it connects

Client→HTTP Method→Endpoint→Backend Route→Action→Response

The method and endpoint work together to describe an API request.

07 · Do Not Confuse

Do Not Confuse

Describes the requested action.

Endpoint

Identifies where the request should go.

Method = What to do

Endpoint = Where to do it

08 · Topic Glossary

Topic Glossary

ENGLISH TERM	中文	SIMPLE ENGLISH	中文小白理解
Method	HTTP 方法	The part of a request that describes the requested action.	用来表示 HTTP 请求想执行什么操作的方法。
GET	获取	Usually used to retrieve data.	通常用于获取数据。
POST	创建 / 提交	Usually used to create or submit data.	通常用于创建或提交数据。
PUT	完整更新	Usually used to replace a resource.	通常用于完整替换一个资源。
PATCH	部分更新	Usually used to update part of a resource.	通常用于修改资源的一部分。
DELETE	删除	Usually used to remove a resource.	通常用于删除一个资源。
Endpoint	接口地址	The address where an API operation is available.	API 中某项操作对应的访问地址。
Request	请求	A message containing a method, endpoint, and other information.	包含方法、接口地址和其他信息的请求。
Resource	资源	Data or an object exposed through an API.	API 对外提供访问的数据或业务对象。
REST API	REST API	An API style that commonly uses HTTP methods with resources.	常通过 HTTP 方法操作资源的一种 API 设计方式。

09 · What to Remember

What to Remember

An HTTP method describes an action.

The method works together with an endpoint.

GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE are common API methods.

Method+Endpoint=Requested Action