HTTP methods in a REST API
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Your app needs to fetch a list of students from a REST API without changing anything. Which HTTP method should it use?
2. A student submits a sign-up form to add a new user account to the server. Which method fits best?
3. Which statement about PUT is correct?
4. A user closes their account, so the app asks the server to remove their record. Which method is used?
5. Which request reads the data for the student with ID 7?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1requests.get("https://api.school.com/students/7") | APOST creates resources and does not delete them. Use DELETE to remove student 7. | |
| 2requests.delete("https://api.school.com/students/7") | Brequests.put(url, json=changes) # 404 | |
| 3POST creates a new resource, and the server replies 201 Created when it succeeds | Crequests.post(url, json=new_student) # 201 | |
| 4PUT updates an existing resource, and a 404 Not Found reply means that resource does not exist | DReads (retrieves) the student with ID 7 without changing anything on the server | |
| 5requests.get(url, json=new_student) # to create a student | EGET only reads data, so it cannot create a resource. Use POST to create a new student. | |
| 6requests.post(url) # to delete student 7 | FRemoves the student with ID 7 from the server |
C
Definitions
GET, POST, PUT, DELETE
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
url = "https://api.example.com/students"
r = requests.___(url)
print(r.status_code)
2.
url = "https://api.example.com/students"
r = requests.____(url, json=new_student)
3.
url = "https://api.example.com/students/1"
r = requests.___(url, json=changes)
4.
url = "https://api.example.com/students/1"
r = requests.______(url)
5.
r = requests.get(url)
if r.___________ == 404:
print("Student not found")
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
# Read the list of pets
B
url = "https://x.com/pets"
C
r = requests.delete(url)
D
print(r.json())
Question 2
A
r = requests.post(url, json=d)
B
if r.status_code == 404:
C
print("Pet created")
Question 3
A
url = "https://x.com/pets/7"
B
d = {"name": "Max"}
C
# Update pet 7
D
r = requests.post(url, json=d)
Question 4
A
url = "https://x.com/pets/7"
B
r = requests.put(url)
C
print(r.status_code)
Question 5
A
r = requests.get(url)
B
print(r.status_code)
C
if r.status_code == 201:
D
print(r.json())
E
else:
F
print("Pet not found")
Answer Key
HTTP methods in a REST API
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
B — GET
Q2
A — POST creates a new resource
Q3
A — PUT updates an existing resource
Q4
A — DELETE
Q5
B — GET /students/7
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
requests.get("https://api.school.com/students/7") → Reads (retrieves) the student with ID 7 without changing anything on the server
Q2
requests.delete("https://api.school.com/students/7") → Removes the student with ID 7 from the server
Q3
POST creates a new resource, and the server replies 201 Created when it succeeds → requests.post(url, json=new_student) # 201
Q4
PUT updates an existing resource, and a 404 Not Found reply means that resource does not exist → requests.put(url, json=changes) # 404
Q5
requests.get(url, json=new_student) # to create a student → GET only reads data, so it cannot create a resource. Use POST to create a new student.
Q6
requests.post(url) # to delete student 7 → POST creates resources and does not delete them. Use DELETE to remove student 7.
Section C: Definitions
Q1
GET, POST, PUT, DELETE — HTTP methods in a REST API: GET reads a resource, POST creates one, PUT updates one and DELETE removes one. The server replies with a status code such as 200 OK or 404 Not Found.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
url = "https://api.example.com/students"
r = requests.get(url)
print(r.status_code)Q2
url = "https://api.example.com/students"
r = requests.post(url, json=new_student)Q3
url = "https://api.example.com/students/1"
r = requests.put(url, json=changes)Q4
url = "https://api.example.com/students/1"
r = requests.delete(url)Q5
r = requests.get(url)
if r.status_code == 404:
print("Student not found")Section E: Spot the Error
Q1
C — The program wants to read the list of pets, so it needs GET. DELETE removes a resource. The line should be r = requests.get(url).
Q2
B — 404 means Not Found. A successful POST that creates a resource returns 201 Created, so the check should be r.status_code == 201.
Q3
D — POST creates a new resource. To update the existing pet 7 you use PUT, so the line should be r = requests.put(url, json=d).
Q4
B — The program is meant to remove pet 7. PUT updates a resource, while DELETE removes it. The line should be r = requests.delete(url).
Q5
C — 201 means Created, which is used for POST. A successful GET returns 200 OK, so the check should be r.status_code == 200.