Query
/kwɪəri/
noun — "request for data or information."
Query is a formal request to a computing system, database, or service for specific information or data retrieval. In database systems, a query is a statement or expression used to specify criteria for selecting, filtering, updating, or manipulating data stored within tables, documents, or other structured formats. The term is used broadly in programming, networking, and information retrieval, encompassing operations from simple lookups to complex analytics and joins across multiple datasets.
DELETE
/dɪ-ˈliːt/
n. “Gone. No take-backs.”
DELETE is an HTTP request method used to remove a resource from a server. When a client issues a DELETE request to a specific URI, the server is instructed to permanently remove that resource, or at least mark it as deleted depending on implementation. Unlike PATCH or PUT, which modify resources, DELETE is purely destructive — its purpose is removal.
PATCH
/pætʃ/
n. “Fix it, tweak it, change just what’s needed.”
PATCH is an HTTP request method used to apply partial modifications to a resource on a server. Unlike PUT, which replaces the entire resource, PATCH allows clients to send only the fields or sections that need updating. This makes PATCH ideal for efficient updates where only a small portion of a resource has changed.
PUT
/pʊt/
n. “Replace it, overwrite it, make it exactly this.”
PUT is an HTTP request method used to update or replace a resource on a server with the data provided in the request body. Unlike POST, which typically creates a new resource or triggers an action, PUT is idempotent — sending the same request multiple times results in the same state on the server without creating duplicates.
POST
/poʊst/
n. “Send it, trust it, let it change the world.”
POST is an HTTP request method used to submit data to a server, typically causing a change in server state or triggering an action. Unlike GET, which only retrieves information, POST is intended for creating or updating resources. The client packages data in the request body, which the server interprets according to the endpoint’s rules.
GET
/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.