IntermediatePhone
2 min
HTTP Idempotent Methods
HTTPAPIsWeb
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Interview Question
Which HTTP methods are idempotent and why does idempotency matter in API design?
Key Points to Cover
- Idempotent: GET, PUT, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS, TRACE (not POST)
- Multiple identical requests have the same effect
- Important for retries, caching, and safe error handling
Evaluation Rubric
Lists idempotent methods correctly40% weight
Defines idempotency accurately30% weight
Explains why it matters (retries/caching)30% weight
Hints
- 💡Be precise about POST vs PUT semantics.
Potential Follow-up Questions
- ❓Is PATCH idempotent?
- ❓How do idempotency keys help POST?
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