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Introduction

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the foundation of communication on the World Wide Web. It enables the exchange of data between a client (such as a web browser) and a server. In the context of web development using .NET, HTTP actions play a crucial role in defining how a server should respond to client requests. In this blog, we will explore the different HTTP actions available in .NET and their purposes, providing detailed examples along the way.

GET – Retrieving Resources

The GET action is used to retrieve resources from a server. It is a safe and idempotent operation, meaning it should not modify the server’s state. In .NET, you can define a GET action using the [HttpGet] attribute. Let’s consider an example where we have a “Products” controller with a GET action to fetch a specific product

[HttpGet]
public IActionResult GetProduct(int id)
{
    // Logic to retrieve the product with the given id
    // ...

    if (product == null)
        return NotFound();

    return Ok(product);
}

POST – Creating Resources

The POST action is used to send data to the server to create a new resource. It is neither safe nor idempotent as it may result in a new state on the server. In .NET, you can define a POST action using the [HttpPost] attribute. Let’s consider an example where we create a new product using a POST action

[HttpPost]
public IActionResult CreateProduct(ProductDto productDto)
{
    // Logic to create the product using the provided data
    // ...

    return CreatedAtAction(nameof(GetProduct), new { id = createdProduct.Id }, createdProduct);
}

PUT – Updating Resources

The PUT action is used to update an existing resource on the server. It should be idempotent, meaning multiple identical requests should have the same effect as a single request. In .NET, you can define a PUT action using the [HttpPut] attribute. Here’s an example of updating a product

[HttpPut("{id}")]
public IActionResult UpdateProduct(int id, ProductDto productDto)
{
    // Logic to update the product with the given id using the provided data
    // ...

    return Ok(updatedProduct);
}

DELETE – Deleting Resources

The DELETE action is used to delete a resource from the server. Like the PUT action, it should also be idempotent. In .NET, you can define a DELETE action using the [HttpDelete] attribute. Let’s see an example of deleting a product

[HttpDelete("{id}")]
public IActionResult DeleteProduct(int id)
{
    // Logic to delete the product with the given id
    // ...

    return NoContent();
}

PATCH – Partial Updates

The PATCH action is used to perform a partial update on a resource. It allows modifying specific fields of an existing resource without requiring the client to send the entire updated representation. Although not as widely used as other actions, it provides flexibility in some scenarios. In .NET, you can define a PATCH action using the [HttpPatch] attribute.

[HttpPatch("{id}")]
public IActionResult PatchProduct(int id, JsonPatchDocument<ProductDto> patchDocument)
{
    // Logic to apply the partial update to the product with the given id
    // ...

    return Ok(patchedProduct);
}

Conclusion

HTTP actions in .NET provide a powerful mechanism for handling client requests and building RESTful APIs. Understanding the purpose of each action (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH) allows developers to design their applications effectively. By leveraging these actions, developers can create robust and well-structured APIs that adhere to the principles of HTTP. The examples provided in this blog should serve as a starting point for utilizing HTTP actions in .NET to build web applications that interact seamlessly with clients.