Handling different HTTP methods in Django

Introduction

Handling different HTTP methods lets your web app respond correctly to actions like viewing, sending, or updating data.

When you want to show a form on a page and also process the form submission.

When your app needs to respond differently to a page visit (GET) versus a form submission (POST).

When building APIs that accept data updates (PUT) or deletions (DELETE).

Syntax

Django

from django.http import HttpResponse
from django.views.decorators.http import require_http_methods

@require_http_methods(["GET", "POST"])
def my_view(request):
    if request.method == "GET":
        return HttpResponse("This is a GET request")
    elif request.method == "POST":
        return HttpResponse("This is a POST request")

Use request.method to check which HTTP method was used.

The decorator @require_http_methods limits allowed methods and returns 405 error if others are used.

Examples

Basic example checking GET and POST inside one view function.

Django

from django.http import HttpResponse

def example_view(request):
    if request.method == "GET":
        return HttpResponse("Show data")
    elif request.method == "POST":
        return HttpResponse("Save data")

Using a decorator to allow only GET requests.

Django

from django.http import HttpResponse
from django.views.decorators.http import require_GET

@require_GET
def only_get_view(request):
    return HttpResponse("Only GET allowed")

Using a decorator to allow only POST requests.

Django

from django.http import HttpResponse
from django.views.decorators.http import require_POST

@require_POST
def only_post_view(request):
    return HttpResponse("Only POST allowed")

Sample Program

This Django view responds differently based on whether the user sends a GET or POST request.

Django

from django.http import HttpResponse
from django.views.decorators.http import require_http_methods

@require_http_methods(["GET", "POST"])
def greet(request):
    if request.method == "GET":
        return HttpResponse("Hello! You sent a GET request.")
    elif request.method == "POST":
        return HttpResponse("Hello! You sent a POST request.")

Important Notes

Always handle unexpected methods to avoid errors.

Use decorators to keep your code clean and restrict methods easily.

GET requests should not change data; POST is for sending data.

Summary

Check request.method to handle different HTTP methods in one view.

Use decorators like @require_http_methods to restrict allowed methods.

Respond differently to GET and POST to support forms and data updates.