Why HTTP methods define intent in Rest API - Test Your Understanding

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to specify the HTTP method for retrieving data.

Rest API

response = requests.[1]('https://api.example.com/data')

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Aget

Bpost

Cput

Ddelete

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using POST instead of GET to retrieve data.

Confusing PUT with GET.

The GET method is used to request data from a server without changing it.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to specify the HTTP method for creating a new resource.

Rest API

response = requests.[1]('https://api.example.com/data', json=payload)

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Aget

Bdelete

Cpost

Dpatch

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using GET instead of POST to create data.

Using DELETE when intending to create.

The POST method is used to send data to the server to create a new resource.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the HTTP method used to update a resource fully.

Rest API

response = requests.[1]('https://api.example.com/data/123', json=updated_data)

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Apost

Bdelete

Cget

Dput

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using POST instead of PUT for full updates.

Using GET when intending to update.

The PUT method is used to fully update an existing resource.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to partially update a resource and specify the correct HTTP method.

Rest API

response = requests.[1]('https://api.example.com/data/123', json=[2])

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Apatch

Bput

Cpayload

Ddata

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using PUT instead of PATCH for partial updates.

Using wrong variable name for the data.

The PATCH method is used for partial updates, and data is the variable holding the update info.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to delete a resource and check the response status code.

Rest API

response = requests.[1]('https://api.example.com/data/123')
if response.status_code == [2]:
    print('[3]')

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Apost

Bdelete

C204

DResource deleted successfully

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using POST instead of DELETE to remove resources.

Checking wrong status code for deletion.

The DELETE method removes a resource. A 204 status means success with no content. The message confirms deletion.

Practice

1. Which HTTP method is used to retrieve data from a server without changing it?

easy

A. GET

B. POST

C. DELETE

D. PUT

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of HTTP methods

   GET is designed to request data without modifying it, making it safe and idempotent.

2. Step 2: Match method to action

   Since the question asks for retrieving data without changes, GET fits perfectly.

3. Final Answer:

   GET -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Retrieve data = GET [OK]

Hint: GET is for reading data, no changes made [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing GET with POST
• Thinking DELETE retrieves data
• Using PUT to fetch data

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to update a resource using HTTP methods?

easy

A. GET /resource/123

B. DELETE /resource/123

C. POST /resource/123

D. PUT /resource/123

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the method used for updating

   PUT is the HTTP method used to update or replace a resource at a specific URL.

2. Step 2: Check the syntax correctness

   PUT /resource/123 correctly targets the resource with ID 123 for update.

3. Final Answer:

   PUT /resource/123 -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Update resource = PUT [OK]

Hint: PUT updates existing resources fully [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using GET to update
• POST is for creating, not updating
• DELETE removes, not updates

3. What will be the expected result of this HTTP request?

POST /users
{
  "name": "Alice",
  "age": 30
}

medium

A. Create a new user named Alice

B. Delete user Alice

C. Update existing user Alice's age

D. Retrieve user data for Alice

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the HTTP method used

   POST is used to create new resources on the server.

2. Step 2: Analyze the request body

   The JSON data contains user details, indicating creation of a new user named Alice.

3. Final Answer:

   Create a new user named Alice -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   POST with data = Create new resource [OK]

Hint: POST adds new data, not fetch or delete [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking POST retrieves data
• Confusing POST with PUT for update
• Assuming POST deletes data

4. You want to remove a user with ID 45 using an HTTP request, but the request POST /users/45 is not working. What is the correct method to use?

medium

A. GET

B. PUT

C. DELETE

D. PATCH

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the intent of the request

   The goal is to remove (delete) a user, so the method must express deletion.

2. Step 2: Choose the HTTP method for deletion

   DELETE is the standard method to remove a resource identified by a URL.

3. Final Answer:

   DELETE -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Remove resource = DELETE [OK]

Hint: DELETE removes resources, POST does not [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using POST to delete
• Confusing PATCH with DELETE
• Trying GET to remove data

5. You have an API where PATCH /profile/123 updates only the email field of a user profile, while PUT /profile/123 replaces the entire profile. Why is it important to choose PATCH over PUT when updating just one field?

hard

A. PATCH is faster because it sends less data

B. PUT can accidentally erase other fields if not included

C. PATCH creates a new profile instead of updating

D. PUT is only for deleting resources

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the difference between PUT and PATCH

   PUT replaces the entire resource, so missing fields get erased. PATCH updates only specified fields.

2. Step 2: Analyze the risk of using PUT for partial updates

   If you use PUT but omit some fields, those fields may be removed unintentionally.

3. Final Answer:

   PUT can accidentally erase other fields if not included -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Partial update safe = PATCH, full replace risk = PUT [OK]

Hint: Use PATCH for partial updates to avoid data loss [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking PATCH creates new resource
• Believing PUT only deletes
• Assuming PATCH sends no data