/ɡɛt/
n. “Ask nicely, get the goods.”
GET is one of the core HTTP request methods used in the web ecosystem, primarily designed to retrieve data from a server. When a browser or client sends a GET request, it is asking the server to return a representation of a specific resource identified by a URL. Unlike other request methods, GET is considered safe and idempotent: it should not change the state of the server, and repeating the request yields the same result.
For example, when you visit https://catenco.de/whatis/MD5 in your browser, your client sends a GET request for that resource. The server responds with the page content, which your browser then renders. This simple exchange underpins almost every web interaction, from loading images and scripts to fetching JSON for dynamic applications.
GET requests can include query parameters, appended to the URL after a question mark. These parameters refine the request or provide additional context. For instance: https://catenco.de/search?q=SHA256 sends a GET request with the search term SHA256, allowing the server to return relevant results. Importantly, because GET URLs are visible in the browser and can be cached or bookmarked, sensitive information should never be sent this way.
In contrast to POST, which submits data that may modify server state, GET is for retrieval only. Its predictable, read-only nature makes it ideal for linking between pages, caching responses, and exposing public APIs. Many modern REST APIs rely heavily on GET for fetching resources, while other methods handle creation, updating, or deletion.
Developers must be mindful of URL length limits and encoding when using GET. Query strings must be properly encoded to ensure special characters, spaces, or symbols do not break the request. Tools like fetch in JavaScript or curl in the terminal allow easy testing and automation of GET requests for debugging, scraping, or API interaction.
In essence, GET is the polite web method: it asks the server for information, expects no side effects, and forms the backbone of internet browsing and API communication. Understanding GET, alongside its companions like POST, PUT, and DELETE, is fundamental for web developers, sysadmins, and anyone interacting with the web’s request-response model.