When would you typically use a POST request in web development?

A POST request is typically used when you need to send data to a server for the purpose of creating a new resource or updating an existing one. This type of request encapsulates the data in the body of the HTTP request, allowing for the transmission of complex data types and larger quantities of information compared to GET requests, which are limited by URL length.

In scenarios where a user submits a form to create a new user account, upload a file, or save changes to a profile, a POST request is the appropriate choice. This method securely transmits data to the server without exposing sensitive information in the URL, ensuring that operations like user registration or data submission are handled correctly and efficiently.

The other options involve actions that are not aligned with the purpose of a POST request: a GET request is used to retrieve data, generally from a database or a web page, while DELETE requests are explicitly designed for removing resources from the server. Thus, the context of resource creation and updates makes the use of POST requests essential in web development.