The GET and POST methods in HTTP and HTTPS are the two most popular methods used to transfer data from a client to a server using the HTTP protocol (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). Both GET and POST can be used to send a request and receive a response, but there is a significant difference between them.
The difference between GET and POST requests in HTTP or HTTPS is a popular question in every web programming interview. Because HTML is not dependent on web server technology such as Java, ASP, or PHP and HTTP is the main protocol in the Internet space, one cannot clearly ignore the importance of understanding the GET and POST methods. In this article we will look at what the HTTP GET method is, what the HTTP POST method is, when to use a particular request, and what is the difference between them. Let us examine each concept separately.
What is HTML?
HTML is the language used to create web pages. Hypertext refers to hyperlinks that an HTML page may contain. Markup language means the way tags are used to determine the layout of a page and the elements on a page.
The following is an example HTML that is used to define a basic web page with a title and one paragraph of text:
<! doctype html>
<HTML>
<Head>
<Title> TechTerms.com </title>
</head>
<Body>
<p> This is an example paragraph in HTML. </ p>
</ Body>
</ Html>
The first line defines the type of content contained in the document. <! doctype html> means the page is written in HTML5. Properly formatted HTML pages should include the <html>, <head> and <body> tags, which are all included in the example above. The page title, metadata, and file-linked links are placed between the <head> tags. The actual content of the page is between the <body> tags.
The web has experienced many changes over the past few decades, but HTML has always been the main language used to design web pages. Interestingly, while websites have become more advanced and interactive, HTML has become easier. If you are comparing the source of an HTML5 page with a similar page written in HTML 4.01 or XHTML 1.0, there will be less code on the HTML5 page. This is because modern HTML relies on cascading style sheets or JavaScript to format almost all elements within a page.
Many dynamic websites generate web pages on the fly using a server-side scripting language such as PHP or ASP. However, even dynamic pages must be formatted using HTML. Therefore, scripting languages often generate HTML code that is sent to a web browser.
What is HTTP?
The HTTP hypertext transfer protocol is designed for communication between clients and servers and works as a request-response protocol.
A web browser can be a client, and an application on the computer hosting the website can be a server.
The client (browser) sends an HTTP request to the server, the server returns a response that contains information about the status of the request and may also contain the requested content.
Two request methods GET and POST
Two commonly used methods for request-response between client and server:
Translating GET and POST literally means receiving and post-processing.
More on HTTP
HTTP is a protocol used to transmit data over the Internet. It is part of the Internet Protocol suite and defines the commands and services used to transmit data on a web page.
HTTP uses the server-client model. The client may be a home computer, laptop, or mobile device. An HTTP server is typically a web host with web server software such as Apache or IIS. When a user accesses a website, the browser sends a request to the corresponding web server and responds with an HTTP status code. If the URL is valid and a connection is provided, the server will send the web page and related files to the browser.
Common HTTP status codes include:
200 - successful request (there is a web page);
301 - moves constantly (often redirected to a new URL);
401 - unauthorized request (authorization required);
403 - prohibited (access to the page or directory is not allowed);
500 - internal server error (often caused by incorrect server configuration).
POST and GET in HTTP
HTTP defines the GET and POST commands that are used to process form submissions on websites. The CONNECT command is used to facilitate a secure connection that is encrypted using SSL. Encrypted HTTP connections are via HTTPS, an HTTP extension for secure data transfers.
URLs starting with “http: //” are accessible via standard hypertext transfer protocols and use port 80 by default. URLs starting with “https: //” are accessible via a secure HTTPS connection and often use port 443.
Post
POST is a series of system checks performed by computers and other electronic devices when they are turned on. Test results can be displayed on the screen, displayed via flashing LEDs or simply recorded internally. On computer systems, the POST operation is performed at the beginning of the boot sequence. If all tests pass, the rest of the startup process will continue automatically.
Mac and Windows device operating systems start POST every time the computer boots or restarts. The scan checks the hardware and ensures that the processor, RAM, and storage devices work correctly. If an error occurs during the POST, the startup process may pause or stop completely, and an emergency message may appear on the monitor . On a PC, POST errors are often displayed on the BIOS information screen. They can be displayed as crypto codes, such as “08”, or as a system message, for example, “System memory error during offset”. On a Mac, POST errors are often indicated by simple graphics, for example, a broken folder icon that indicates that the boot device was not found.
Physical manifestations
In some cases, the computer screen may not even turn on before POST errors. If this happens, error codes can be displayed via flashing LEDs or beeps. For example, the Apple iMac will play three consecutive tones, pause for five seconds, and then repeat the tones when bad RAM is detected during startup. Most PCs also sound when POST errors are detected, although each manufacturer uses its own codes.
POST is a pretty technical term that only computer technicians use on a regular basis. However, this is a good abbreviation because it helps to better understand error messages that may appear on computers or other electronic devices. If the computer does not start due to a POST error, you can use another device to search for the meaning and cause of the error from the manufacturer’s website. Then you can take the appropriate actions - removing the memory module or reinstalling the video card, followed by a restart of the equipment.
Get
POST is also a method of transferring HTML form variables from one web page to another without displaying them in the address bar. An alternative method is GET, which adds values to the URL. HTTP POST requests provide additional data from the client (browser) to the server in the body of the message. In contrast, GET requests include all necessary data in the URL. Forms in HTML can use any method by specifying the = POST method or method = GET (default) in the <form> element. The specified method determines how form data is transmitted to the server. When the GET method is used, all form data is encoded into the URL as query string parameters. With POST, form data appears in the body of an HTTP request message.
Differences in Form Submission
The POST request method requests the web server to receive and store data enclosed in the body of the request message. Often used when uploading a file or submitting a completed web form.
The HTTP GET request method retrieves information from the server. As part of a GET request, some data may be transmitted in the query string of the URL, indicating search terms, date ranges, or other information that defines the request.
As part of a POST request, an arbitrary amount of data of any type can be sent to the server in the body of the request message. The header field in a POST request usually indicates the type of Internet medium of the message body.
The main difference between GET and POST requests is that they correspond to different HTTP requests, as defined in the HTTP specifications. The process of submitting both methods begins in the same way: the form data set is created by the browser and then encoded in the manner specified by the enctype attribute. For METHOD = "POST, the enctype attribute can be multipart / form-data or application / x-www-form-urlencoded, while for METHOD =" GET "it can only be run through application / x-www-form-urlencoded. This form data is set then transferred to the server.
To submit a form using METHOD = "GET", the browser creates a URL by accepting the value of the action attribute and adding to it a form dataset encoded using the content type application / x-www-form-urlencoded). The browser then processes this URL as if it were linking to a link (or as if the user had typed the URL manually). The browser divides the URL into parts and recognizes the host, then sends a GET request to that host with the rest of the URL as an argument. It is important to note that this process means that the form data is limited to ASCII codes. Particular attention should be paid to encoding and decoding other types of characters when transmitting them to an ASCII URL.
Submission of the form with METHOD = “POST” causes the POST request to be sent using the value of the action attribute and the message created in accordance with the content type specified by the enctype attribute.
Php
PHP is a web scripting language embedded in HTML. This means that the PHP code can be inserted into the HTML page. PHP code is read or parsed by the server on which the page is located. The output of the GET and POST functions in PHP on a page is usually returned as HTML code that can be read by the browser. Because the PHP code is converted to HTML before the page loads, users cannot view the PHP code on the page. This makes PHP pages sufficient to access databases and other secure information.
Most of the PHP syntax is borrowed from other languages such as C, Java, and Perl. However, PHP has a number of unique functions and special functions. The purpose of this language is to enable web developers to quickly and easily write dynamically generated pages.
Wordpress
WordPress is a free content management system used to create and maintain websites. Its ease of use and unique blogging features have helped it become the most popular blogging tool on the Internet.
The WordPress interface allows anyone with no web development experience to create and publish a website. Built-in blogging tools provide an easy way to track individual posts, visitors, and user comments.
Although thousands of WordPress templates and plugins are available, the WordPress POST GET system still has its limitations. Since this is a template-based service, the user should start from a pre-created website, and not create pages from scratch. In addition, it is not possible to embed scripts or maintain a database with the same level of control that a custom website offers.
The POST_GET_ID () tool allows you to use scripts to control the item, since it has a unique identifier, and when sending it as a form through these methods, a drop-down list will be sent with a unique identifier that allows the script to notice which publication is working. Alternatively, a hidden variable can be sent that allows the script to see which publication relates to the view.