What is it?
A request is a message sent from a client to another system.
It asks for data, sends information, or asks the system to perform an action.
Simple Definition: A request tells another system what you want.
Software Knowledge → 03 · HTTP & APIs → Request
PART III · HTTP & APIs
Request
A message sent from one system to ask another system for data or an action.
Think of it like...
Think of a request as placing an order.
You tell the system:
What you want
Where you want it
Any information needed to process it
Client
→
Request
→
Server
What does it do?
A request can ask a system to:
Read Data
Create Data
Update Data
Delete Data
Search Data
Trigger an Action
Where is it used?
Requests are used between:
Browser and Server
Frontend and Backend
Mobile App and API
Service and Service
System and External API
Example
Use:
GET /api/orders/1001Meaning: Request order 1001.
Second example:
POST /api/ordersRequest Body:
{
"customer_id": 2001,
"quantity": 10
}Meaning: Request creation of a new order.
How it connects
Client→Method→Endpoint→Request→Backend→Response
A request combines several pieces of information to tell the receiving system what should happen.
Do Not Confuse
Request
Asks for data or an action.
Response
Returns the result.
Request = Ask
Response = Answer
Topic Glossary
| ENGLISH TERM | 中文 | SIMPLE ENGLISH | 中文小白理解 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Request | 请求 | A message sent to ask another system for data or an action. | 向另一个系统请求数据或执行操作的信息。 |
| Client | 客户端 | The side that usually sends a request. | 通常负责发送请求的一端。 |
| Server | 服务器 | The side that usually receives and processes a request. | 通常接收并处理请求的一端。 |
| Method | HTTP 方法 | The action the request wants to perform. | 表示请求希望执行什么操作的方法。 |
| Endpoint | 接口地址 | The address the request is sent to. | 请求发送到的具体 API 地址。 |
| Header | 请求头 | Extra information sent with the request. | 随请求一起发送的附加信息。 |
| Body | 请求体 | The main data carried inside the request. | 请求中真正携带的主要数据。 |
| Query Parameter | 查询参数 | A value added to the URL to control or filter a request. | 加在 URL 中用来筛选或控制请求的参数。 |
| Path Parameter | 路径参数 | A value placed inside the URL path. | 放在 URL 路径中标识具体资源的参数。 |
| Response | 响应 | The result returned after the request is processed. | 请求处理完成后返回的数据或结果。 |
What to Remember
A request tells another system what you want.
A request may include a method, endpoint, headers, parameters, and body.
A request is followed by a response.
Client→Request→Server→Response