REST API Methods and Idempotency

GET /products/sku_123

# Read without changing server state.

POST /orders

# Submit a new resource or command-like workflow.

PUT /profiles/123

# Send a full replacement representation.

PATCH /profiles/123

# Send only the fields that change.

DELETE /profiles/123

# Delete one item by ID.

HEAD /reports/monthly.pdf

# Check resource metadata without the body.

OPTIONS /users

# Inspect available methods or CORS capabilities.

POST /payments
Idempotency-Key: 8f3dc9d4-7d3e-4c66-9f44-7d85f0f86dd1

# Deduplicate retryable create requests.

PUT /devices/device_123

# Make resource creation naturally idempotent.

{
  "display_name": "Jane Smith",
  "timezone": "America/Los_Angeles"
}

# Favor deterministic patches.

Avoid: GET /posts/123/mark-read

# Do not track writes in the same endpoint contract.