GET vs POST Requests: When to Use Each?

The key thing to remember is that GET requests should be idempotent. This means you can run the same request multiple times without changing the state. If you trigger something with a GET, it should be safe even if the request is repeated. If you have something like starting a long-running process, it's better suited for a POST request instead.

It's crucial to separate conventions from rules that impact functionality. For instance, browsers treat GET requests as safe and cacheable, meaning they can be called multiple times without concern. If you use GET for actions, it might cause unintended repeated calls due to caching mechanisms.

Thinking of it in terms of the CRUD operations helps:
- **GET** (Read): Used to fetch data; typically, less info is sent in the request, often just through the URL.
- **POST** (Create): Used to create new resources, which usually involves sending a lot of information.
- **PUT** (Update): Used to edit existing resources; most people use POST for this if it’s a new or existing item.
- **DELETE**: Removes a specified item, which is commonly handled through URL parameters.
For your question about toggling a process, I’d suggest considering it more like a PUT since it's changing the state.

In my opinion, GET requests should never change any state or trigger processes. Basically, a GET request should be safe to repeat without side effects.

If you want to be RESTful, follow the standard HTTP methods as outlined in documentation. You can check out this link: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Reference/Methods for more info.