In the realm of web development, understanding the difference between the HTTP methods GET and POST is crucial. Both are used to transfer data between a client and a server, but they do so in different ways and for different purposes.

GET Method

The GET method is designed to request data from a specified resource. It's important to note that GET requests can be cached and remain in the browser history, which means they can be bookmarked. However, this also implies that GET requests should never be used for sensitive data transactions, as the data is appended to the URL, making it visible. There are also restrictions on the length of the data that can be sent with a GET request, as URLs have a length limit. GET requests are generally used to retrieve data without causing any side effects on the server¹.

POST Method

On the other hand, the POST method is used to send data to a server to create or update a resource. The data sent via POST is included in the body of the request, making it more secure for sensitive data as it does not appear in the URL. Unlike GET, POST requests are not cached, do not remain in the browser history, and cannot be bookmarked. There are no restrictions on data length, and POST can handle various types of data, including binary. This method is typically used for actions that result in a change on the server, such as submitting form data².