Difference Between PUT and PATCH Requests in Web Development

HTTP, the foundation of data communication on the web, employs various methods to interact with resources. Two commonly used methods, PUT and PATCH, play crucial roles in updating and modifying data. Let’s delve into the key differences between PUT and PATCH requests.

PUT Request:

The PUT method is designed to update or create a resource on the server. When a client sends a PUT request, it typically includes the entire updated representation of the resource.

Use Cases:

1. Resource Creation: If the specified resource does not exist, a PUT request can create it with the provided data.
2. Resource Replacement: When updating an existing resource, the entire updated representation replaces the current state.

Example PUT Request:

PUT /users/123 Content-Type: application/json { "name": "John Doe", "age": 30, "email": "john.doe@example.com" }

PATCH Request:

In contrast, the PATCH method is more focused on partial updates. It is used to apply modifications to a resource without requiring the client to send the entire representation. Instead, only the specific changes are included in the request.

Use Cases:

1. Partial Updates: When only specific fields of a resource need to be updated, a PATCH request is more efficient than sending the entire representation.
2. Concurrent Updates: PATCH is useful in scenarios where multiple clients might be updating the same resource simultaneously, and only the changes made need to be considered.

Example PATCH Request:

PATCH /users/123 Content-Type: application/json { "age": 31 }

Key Differences:

1. Data Sent:
   • PUT: Sends the entire updated representation of the resource.
   • PATCH: Sends only the specific changes to be applied.
2. Idempotence:
   • PUT: Generally considered idempotent, meaning repeated requests have the same effect as a single request.
   • PATCH: Not strictly idempotent, as multiple identical PATCH requests may have different outcomes based on the order of execution.
3. Performance:
   • PUT: May be less efficient for large resources as it requires sending the entire representation.
   • PATCH: More efficient for partial updates, reducing the amount of data sent over the network.

In conclusion, understanding the distinctions between PUT and PATCH requests is crucial for effective web development. Whether you’re creating or updating resources, choosing the right method ensures optimal performance and adherence to RESTful principles. Embrace the nuances of HTTP methods to elevate your web development skills.