Search code examples
httpresthttp-puthttp-methodhttp-patch

Should I use PATCH or PUT in my REST API?

I want to design my rest endpoint with the appropriate method for the following scenario.

There is a group. Each group has a status. The group can be activated or inactivated by the admin.

Should I design my end point as 

PUT /groups/api/v1/groups/{group id}/status/activate

OR

PATCH /groups/api/v1/groups/{group id}

with request body like 
{action:activate|deactivate}
Solution

  • The PATCH method is the correct choice here as you're updating an existing resource - the group ID. PUT should only be used if you're replacing a resource in its entirety.

    Further information on partial resource modification is available in RFC 5789. Specifically, the PUT method is described as follows:

    Several applications extending the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) require a feature to do partial resource modification. The existing HTTP PUT method only allows a complete replacement of a document. This proposal adds a new HTTP method, PATCH, to modify an existing HTTP resource.