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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/tech-http-post-processing

What does the HTTP POST method ask the target resource to do?

POST asks it to process the enclosed representation.

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  1. Only return response headers
  2. Process the enclosed representation ✔
  3. Rename every requested resource

Why: POST sends content for the target resource to process according to that resource's own rules. Form submissions and creating subordinate resources are common uses, but the exact result depends on the target.

Huh, didn't know that: Unlike GET, POST is not defined as a safe method.

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POST delivered the form because it knew where to submit it.
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References

Answer: Process the enclosed representation. POST sends content for the target resource to process according to that resource's own rules. Form submissions and creating subordinate resources are common uses, but the exact result depends on the target.

  1. RFC 9110: HTTP Semantics www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc9110.html
    The POST method requests that the target resource process the representation enclosed in the request according to the resource's own specific semantics.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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