Which HTTP method removes a resource and is idempotent because repeated calls leave the resource deleted?

Which HTTP method removes a resource and is idempotent because repeated calls leave the resource deleted?

• A. GET
• B. DELETE
• C. PATCH
• D. POST

Answer: (B)

The main concept here is how HTTP methods behave when applied repeatedly, specifically idempotence and the action of removing a resource. The DELETE method is used to remove a resource. It is idempotent because performing the same delete request multiple times has the same effect as doing it once: the resource is deleted on the first call, and subsequent calls leave it deleted (often returning a not-found status). In other words, once the resource is gone, repeated deletes don’t create or restore it—they just confirm it’s no longer there. GET is for retrieving data and should not change state. PATCH updates parts of a resource and may or may not be idempotent depending on implementation. POST creates new resources and is generally not idempotent, which is why repeated POSTs can create duplicates. So, the method that removes a resource and remains idempotent is the DELETE method.

The main concept here is how HTTP methods behave when applied repeatedly, specifically idempotence and the action of removing a resource.

The DELETE method is used to remove a resource. It is idempotent because performing the same delete request multiple times has the same effect as doing it once: the resource is deleted on the first call, and subsequent calls leave it deleted (often returning a not-found status). In other words, once the resource is gone, repeated deletes don’t create or restore it—they just confirm it’s no longer there.

GET is for retrieving data and should not change state. PATCH updates parts of a resource and may or may not be idempotent depending on implementation. POST creates new resources and is generally not idempotent, which is why repeated POSTs can create duplicates.

So, the method that removes a resource and remains idempotent is the DELETE method.