What is the difference between GET and POST methods in form submission?

The GET and POST methods are both used to submit data to a server, but they have different characteristics and use cases:

1. GET Method:

   • Purpose: Used to request data from a specified resource. It is generally used for retrieving data and should not alter any server-side data.
   • Data Handling: Appends data to the URL as query parameters. For example: example.com/page?name=value.
   • Visibility: Data is visible in the URL, which means it can be bookmarked or shared easily. However, this can also expose sensitive information if used improperly.
   • Length Limitation: Limited by the maximum URL length (usually around 2048 characters).
   • Caching: GET requests can be cached by browsers and servers, which can improve performance for repetitive requests.
   • Usage: Typically used for retrieving data or performing searches.

2. POST Method:

   • Purpose: Used to submit data to be processed by a server, such as creating or updating a resource.
   • Data Handling: Sends data in the body of the request, not in the URL. This makes it more suitable for large amounts of data.
   • Visibility: Data is not visible in the URL, which makes it a better choice for sensitive information like passwords.
   • Length Limitation: No practical limit on the size of data being sent (though server and browser configurations may impose limits).
   • Caching: POST requests are not cached by default, ensuring that each submission is processed by the server.
   • Usage: Commonly used for submitting forms, uploading files, and performing operations that change server state.

In summary, GET is generally used for retrieving data, while POST is used for sending data to be processed or changed.