DELETE Request Example Using REST API

What is a DELETE Request?

A DELETE request is one of the standard HTTP methods used in RESTful APIs. It is primarily used to delete a specified resource from the server. When a DELETE request is made, it tells the server to remove the identified resource.

Why Use DELETE Requests?

Resource Management: Helps maintain and manage server resources by removing unwanted or outdated data.
Data Integrity: Ensures that users only interact with relevant and necessary information.

DELETE Request Example

Let’s consider a simple example where we have a REST API managing a collection of books. Each book has a unique identifier (ID). In this case, we will send a DELETE request to remove a specific book from the collection.

Example Scenario

Assuming we have a book with the ID of 123, the DELETE request would look like this:

1. DELETE Request via cURL

curl -X DELETE https://api.example.com/books/123

2. DELETE Request using Fetch API in JavaScript

fetch('https://api.example.com/books/123', {
  method: 'DELETE'
})
.then(response => {
  if (response.ok) {
    console.log('Book deleted successfully!');
  } else {
    console.error('Failed to delete the book.');
  }
})
.catch(error => console.error('Error:', error));

Response Handling

After sending a DELETE request, the server typically returns a response indicating the outcome:

Success (200 OK or 204 No Content): The resource was deleted successfully.
Error (404 Not Found): The resource was not found on the server.

Conclusion

DELETE requests are essential for resource management in REST APIs. By using the examples provided, you can implement DELETE functionality in your applications effectively. Always ensure to handle responses appropriately to maintain a smooth user experience.

Understanding DELETE Requests in REST APIs