Why are PUT, DELETE, POST, and GET essential for RESTful APIs?

REST API: Unraveling the HTTP Request Quartet (PUT, DELETE, POST, GET)

In the context of REST API development, there has been a debate on whether to use all four HTTP request methods (PUT, DELETE, POST, GET) or rely solely on POST and GET for data access. While the latter option seems simpler, understanding the purpose of REST sheds light on why the quartet is essential.

REST: A Meaningful Data Access Paradigm

REpresentational State Transfer (REST) is not merely a means of accessing data but a methodology for accessing data in a meaningful manner. Each request should delineate the intended action with clarity. For instance, a GET request to "/cars/make/chevrolet" intuitively indicates a request for a list of Chevrolet cars.

Differentiating Actions through Request Methods

PUT and DELETE are particularly valuable in this context. For example, a PUT request to "/cars/" with a JSON payload of "{ make:chevrolet, model:malibu, colors:[red, green, blue, grey] }" implies the creation of a new Chevrolet Malibu record with the specified color options. Contrast this with a POST request to the same endpoint, which is better suited for generic data creation without pre-determined parameters.

Ensuring Idempotence

REST adheres to the principle of idempotence, wherein multiple executions of the same request should result in an identical server state. While POST is inherently non-idempotent, DELETE requests are. To ensure idempotence for actions like removing the oldest car record, it's better to use a GET request to retrieve the record's ID and then issue a DELETE request specifically targeting that ID.

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