REST: What is difference between GET and DELETE, when we can implement same functionality in both?

Question

In REST Web Services we have GET AND DELETE methods.

Generally we read GET is to get data from server like "getCountriesName" and DELETE is used to call resource which deletes particular object like "removeOrganization".

But if i implements DELETE to "getCountriesName" then it successfully returns country name.

So how both are different? Any real-time scenario?

Answer 1

It is technically possible, but if you make that way, then you are not following the REST standards. I would recommend to use delete to remove resources and get to query them

Answer 2

Looking at the Richardson Maturity Model, if you're aiming to achieve at least level 2 of REST, you'll end up with resources (Country) and HTTP VERBS:

GET /api/countries/{id}

which would also return the country's name, among other parameters. You could also issue a DELETE request towards the same URL, provided there's an endpoint that supports this - in the backend you'll usually have methods that allow a certain HTTP VERB on them. The details of the implementation depend on the language you're using, for example in C# you would have a method with mostly the same signature, but a different attribute on top of it, like [HttpDelete]).

Thinking in terms of methods (getCountriesName/removeOrganization) is not RESTful at all, but rather SOAP/RPC.