What are the main HTTP methods used in a REST API and what is each one used for?

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The main HTTP methods used in a REST API are GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE. Each corresponds to a specific operation on resources.

GET is used to retrieve data. It is a read method that does not modify server state. For example, GET /users returns the list of users, and GET /users/123 returns the user with identifier 123.

POST is used to create a new resource. The request body contains the data for the resource to be created. For example, POST /users with a JSON body creates a new user.

PUT is used to completely replace an existing resource. If the resource does not exist, it may be created. For example, PUT /users/123 replaces all data for user 123.

PATCH is used to partially modify a resource. Unlike PUT, you send only the fields to modify. For example, PATCH /users/123 with { "email": "new@email.com" } modifies only the email.

DELETE is used to remove a resource. For example, DELETE /users/123 removes the user with identifier 123.

There are also other less common methods. HEAD is similar to GET but returns only headers. OPTIONS returns the methods supported by the server for a given resource.

A good REST API uses these methods consistently and predictably.