Requests

Query strings and request bodies

Decide whether request data belongs in the URL query string or in the message body, and understand how servers receive each form.

7 minute lesson

~~~

A query string is part of the URL:

/articles?tag=css&page=2

It works well for filters, searches, sorting, and pagination. Query parameters are visible in the address bar and easy to bookmark or share.

A request body carries data after the headers:

{
  "title": "Learn HTTP",
  "published": true
}

Bodies are common with POST, PUT, and PATCH. The Content-Type header tells the server how the body is encoded.

Do not put secrets in a query string. URLs often appear in browser history, logs, analytics, and referrer data. HTTPS encrypts a URL while it travels, but it does not stop these local and application-level records.

Lesson completed