API Method Cheat Sheet (GET vs POST vs PUT)
A fast, scannable reference for API methods to help you debug and design faster.
| Method | Payload? | Cached? | Browser History? | Data Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GET | No | Yes | Yes | URL (Visible to all) |
| POST | Yes | No | No | Body (Hidden in URL) |
| PUT | Yes | No | No | Body |
| DELETE | No | No | No | URL |
Quick Rules
- Fetching Data? Use GET.
- Submitting a Form? Use POST.
- Uploading a File? Use POST (Multipart).
- Updating a Profile? Use PUT (Complete) or PATCH (Partial).
- Removing an Item? Use DELETE.
API Method Cheat Sheet
Keep this API Method Cheat Sheet bookmarked. When debugging issues like "Why is my form resubmitting when I refresh?" (because you used POST and the browser warns you) or "Why isn't my update working?" (maybe you used PUT but didn't send all fields), this reference saves time.
Understanding the subtleties—like how GET requests are cached by default by CDNs and browsers, whereas POST requests are not—can prevent major bugs in production.