What is the Difference Between Get and Post?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between the GET and POST methods in HTTP lies in how they transfer data from the client to the server. Here are the key differences between the two methods:
- Data Transfer: GET carries request parameters appended in the URL string, while POST carries request parameters in the message body, making it more secure for transferring data.
- Data Types: The GET method supports only string data types, while the POST method supports different data types such as string, numeric, binary, and so on.
- Amount of Data: The GET method is limited to a maximum number of characters, while the POST method has no such limitation. This is because the GET method sends data through the resource URL, which is limited in length, while the POST method sends data through the HTTP message body, which has no such limitation.
- Purpose: GET requests are only used to request data (not modify), while POST requests can be used to create and modify data.
- Security: GET requests are comparatively less secure because the data is exposed in the URL bar, while POST requests are more secure because the data is not exposed in the URL bar.
- Browser History and Bookmarks: Requests made through the GET method are stored in browser history and can be saved as bookmarks, while requests made through the POST method are not stored in browser history and cannot be saved as bookmarks.
In summary, the GET method is used to request data from a specified resource and is limited in terms of data types and amount of data, while the POST method is used to send data to a server for processing or modification and supports a wider range of data types with no limitation on the amount of data.
Comparative Table: Get vs Post
Here is a table comparing the differences between the GET and POST methods in HTTP protocol:
| Feature | GET | POST |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility of data | Values are visible in the URL | Values are not visible in the URL |
| Length of values | Limited, generally 255 characters | No limitation on the length of the values |
| Performance | Better performance compared to POST | Lower performance compared to GET |
| Caching | Often cacheable | Hardly cacheable |
| Data submission | Appends form data to the URL in name-value pairs | Submits data via the body of the HTTP request |
| Suitability for sensitive data | Not suitable for sensitive data | Suitable for sensitive data |
GET is a method used to retrieve data from the server, and it has a limitation on the length of the values. It is often cacheable and has better performance compared to POST. On the other hand, POST is a method used to send data to the server, and it has no limitation on the length of the values. It is hardly cacheable and has lower performance compared to GET.
When using GET, the data is visible in the URL, and it is not suitable for sensitive data. In contrast, POST is more secure as the data is not visible in the URL and is more suitable for sensitive data.
In summary, use GET when you want to fetch data from the server and the data is not sensitive, and use POST when you need to send data to the server, especially when dealing with sensitive information.