I knew this conceptually but fumbled the explanation a bit.
Start by defining GET and POST in simple terms, then highlight their key differences in purpose, data handling, and security. Relate these differences to product management decisions, such as when to use each method in API design and how they impact user experience and data integrity.
Pro tip: Emphasize that GET requests should never be used for operations that change data, as they can be cached and bookmarked, leading to unintended side effects. This shows you understand both technical and product implications.
Briefly explain that GET is used to retrieve data from a server, while POST is used to send data to a server to create or update a resource.
Mention that GET appends data to the URL as query parameters, while POST sends data in the request body, making it more suitable for large or sensitive data.
Highlight that GET requests are idempotent and can be cached, while POST requests are not idempotent and should not be cached. Also note that POST is more secure for sensitive data as it's not exposed in the URL.
Explain how these differences influence API design decisions, such as using GET for search filters and POST for form submissions, and the impact on user experience and data integrity.
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