difference between query params and request params

Difference between query params and request params

As a web developer, I have come across the terms "query params" and "request params" multiple times. These terms are related to passing data between the client and the server, but they have different meanings and uses. In this post, I will explain the difference between query params and request params.

Query Params

Query params are also known as URL parameters or query strings. They are used to pass data to the server through the URL of a GET request. Query params consist of key-value pairs separated by an equals sign (=). Multiple query params can be separated by an ampersand (&). For example:


https://example.com/api/products?category=electronics&sort=price_asc

In this example, the "category" and "sort" are query parameters. They are passed to the server along with the GET request. The server can use these parameters to filter and sort the data before returning it to the client.

Request Params

Request params, on the other hand, are used to pass data to the server through the body of a request. They are commonly used in POST, PUT, and DELETE requests. Request params can be sent in different formats such as JSON, XML, or form data. For example:


POST /api/users HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "John Doe",
  "email": "[email protected]"
}

In this example, the request params are sent in JSON format in the body of a POST request. The server can use these params to create a new user in the database.

Differences

  • Query params are used in GET requests, while request params are used in POST, PUT, and DELETE requests.
  • Query params are appended to the URL, while request params are sent in the body of the request.
  • Query params are visible in the URL, while request params are not.
  • Query params are limited in size (depending on the browser), while request params can be much larger.

Overall, query params and request params serve different purposes and are used in different scenarios. It is important to understand their differences to use them effectively in web development.