The HTTP 1.0 protocol is formally specified in terms of
"methods," rather than simple commands. The
available methods are:
GET
We've already seen this "request to read a generalised object".
The object can be a Web "page" (HTML document), an image, a sound
sample or a wide range of other types.
HEAD
A request to return the response header only, without the
content. This can contain much useful information about the
requested entity, without the need to actually load it -- eg, how
big it is.
POST
Originally defined as a request to "append to a named resource"
(eg, a Web page), this method is extensively used in
CGI-based systems, see later.
PUT
Request to store an object (eg, Web page, image, etc). Has only
ever been used experimentally.
DELETE
Delete the specified object. I'm unaware of this having ever
being used, so we can ignore it.
LINK
Connect two existing resources. Likewise, never used.
UNLINK
Breaks an existing connection between two resources. Not
used.
Lecture 05:
Applications #3.1: HTML and HTTP Basics
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