HTTP Request

What is a HTTP Request?

An HTTP request is how a client — usually a browser or app — reaches out to a web server to interact with online resources. It can ask to view a web page, send form input, or change some stored data. Each HTTP request uses HTTP protocols and a defined method (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) that signals what the server should do.

Some developers use PUT operations to revise existing entries, and DELETE is commonly applied to remove outdated ones.

How does HTTP Request work?

Opening a website or clicking a button often results in your device creating a request that’s sent to a server. The message it sends contains headers (about browser type, language, etc.) and might include a message body which contains fields such as username and password during login or signup. Headers also define accepted content types, helping servers deliver proper formats like JSON, XML, or HTML

The server processes the information and answers with what’s known as a response. That may include a status code, a brief status message (like “OK” or “Not Found”), and possibly the requested contents.These server responses help the browser or app decide what to display or do next.

Well-known web servers like Apache and Nginx are designed to handle a high volume of these interactions smoothly, whether serving HTML or dynamic data.

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous HTTP Requests: difference between them

When handled synchronously, a request puts everything else on pause until a reply comes back. If processed asynchronously, other tasks can continue in the meantime, making the experience feel quicker and smoother.

Today’s websites often prefer non-blocking logic to deliver faster, more fluid user interactions.

Pros & Cons

Advantages:

• Can use several methods, including GET, POST, or the put method
  
• Compatible with all modern browsers
  
• Allows different systems to pass messages clearly and predictably
  

Limitations:

• Blocking behavior in synchronous mode can slow things down
  
• Data handling needs to be done with caution to avoid exposing information
  
• Some message body formats take effort to debug or interpret
  
• The meaning of many status codes isn’t always obvious at first glance
  

Examples

• A GET call that retrieves user data from a profile
  
• A POST request body contains user-submitted form data such as comments, login details, or payment information.
  
• Developers often use PUT requests when updating existing specified resource
  
• A DELETE methods are ideal for removing stored records, such as user accounts or uploaded files. (e.g., removing a file via an HTTP endpoint)
  
• User posts on forums are often created via POST or modified with PUT