Why HTTP methods define API intent in Postman - Challenge Your Understanding

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Understanding HTTP Methods and API Intent

Which HTTP method is typically used to update an existing resource in a RESTful API?

A PUT

B GET

C POST

D DELETE

💡 Hint

Think about which method replaces or modifies a resource completely.

The PUT method is used to update or replace an existing resource. GET is for retrieving data, POST is for creating new resources, and DELETE removes resources.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

HTTP Method Effect on API Response

What will be the HTTP status code returned when a POST request successfully creates a new resource?

A 200 OK

B 404 Not Found

C 204 No Content

D 201 Created

💡 Hint

Successful creation usually returns a specific status code indicating resource creation.

201 Created indicates that the request has succeeded and a new resource has been created as a result.

❓ assertion

advanced

Correct Assertion for DELETE Method

In Postman, which assertion correctly verifies that a DELETE request was successful by checking the status code?

Postman

pm.test('Status code is 204', () => {
    pm.response.to.have.status(204);
});

A pm.test('Status code is 200', () => { pm.response.to.have.status(200); });

B pm.test('Status code is 204', () => { pm.response.to.have.status(204); });

C pm.test('Status code is 404', () => { pm.response.to.have.status(404); });

D pm.test('Status code is 201', () => { pm.response.to.have.status(201); });

💡 Hint

DELETE success usually returns a status code indicating no content.

204 No Content is the standard response for a successful DELETE request indicating the resource was deleted and no content is returned.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Debugging Incorrect HTTP Method Usage

A tester sends a GET request to an API endpoint that only supports POST. The response is 405 Method Not Allowed. What is the most likely cause?

A The request body is missing.

B The API endpoint does not exist.

C The HTTP method used is not supported by the endpoint.

D The server is down.

💡 Hint

405 status means the method is not allowed on the resource.

405 Method Not Allowed means the HTTP method used is not supported by the endpoint. Using GET instead of POST causes this error.

❓ framework

expert

Designing Tests for API Intent Using HTTP Methods

Which test case best verifies that an API correctly implements the intent of the PATCH HTTP method?

A Send a PATCH request with partial data and verify only specified fields are updated.

B Send a PATCH request with full data and verify the entire resource is replaced.

C Send a DELETE request and verify the resource is removed.

D Send a GET request and verify the resource is unchanged.

💡 Hint

PATCH is used for partial updates, not full replacements.

PATCH requests are intended to partially update a resource. The test should verify that only the specified fields change, not the entire resource.