What distinguishes a GET request from a POST request?

The distinction between a GET request and a POST request primarily lies in their purposes and behaviors regarding data transmission. A GET request is designed to retrieve information from a server. When you use a GET request, any parameters or data are included in the URL (usually appended as query strings), and it is meant for actions where data retrieval is needed without altering the state of the server.

On the other hand, a POST request is used to send data to a server for processing. This could involve submitting form data, uploading files, or any operation that alters the data on the server. The data sent via POST is included in the body of the request, which allows for more complex data structures and is not limited by URL length constraints. This capability makes POST suitable for operations that require significant amounts of data transfer or modifications to the server's state.

In summary, the correct distinction is that a GET request retrieves data, whereas a POST request sends data to be processed by the server. Understanding this fundamental difference is crucial when working with web applications, as it determines how data is handled and the intended actions on the server.