GET vs POST for ASP form submission
GET and POST both send form data to the server, but they are designed for different kinds of requests. The right choice depends on whether the request is retrieving a resource, changing server state, carrying sensitive data, or needs a bookmarkable URL.
| Topic | GET | POST |
|---|---|---|
| Where form data appears | Query string in the URL | Request body |
| Bookmark/share | Parameters can be bookmarked and shared | Body is not represented in the URL |
| Typical use | Read/search/filter/navigation requests | Submitting changes, forms, larger request bodies |
| Browser history | URL including parameters may remain in history | Submitted body is not part of the history URL |
| Sensitive data | Do not put passwords or secrets in the URL | Still requires HTTPS; POST by itself does not encrypt data |
| ASP collection | Request.QueryString | Request.Form |
Choose GET for retrievable resources
GET is useful for search terms, filters, paging values, product IDs, and other parameters that describe the resource being requested. These URLs can often be shared or bookmarked.
Choose POST for submitted changes
POST is normally better for creating or changing data, contact/login forms, or larger form submissions. However, hiding a value from the URL is not a security mechanism. Use HTTPS and appropriate server-side controls.
URL length is not a fixed 255-character rule
Older tutorials often state that GET has a universal 255-character limit. There is no single practical limit that applies to every browser, proxy, web server, and application. Keep query strings reasonably small and use POST when a form naturally carries a larger body.
Encode and validate input
Browsers encode form parameters for transport, but the receiving application must still validate submitted values. When request data is later written into HTML, HTML-encode it for that output context.
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Subhendu Mohapatra
Author & Instructor at plus2net
I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.
| Naghu | 07-04-2010 |
| Really its a wonderful explanation ... thank you...;) | |
| girish | 13-04-2010 |
| simple and understandable for a novice like me :), great mini article. Keep it up, Thanks. | |
| reema sharma | 15-04-2010 |
| wow!!i knew the difference but wanted to be sure..really all my doubts are gone..very detailed explanation...thank u. | |
| Akhil Jain | 28-04-2010 |
| It is really very good explanation, in HCL interview, interviewer asked me this question & that time I was not sure but after reading it I am confident that next time will not confuse with Get & Post. Thanks once again | |
| Pawan Kaushal | 11-05-2010 |
| It is a very simple and understandable article for any stage asp.net programmer. | |
| vishnu | 27-05-2010 |
| good....nice explanation of GET method,but still no explanation of POST method in the above context. Kindly take care of this also. :) | |
| Batool | 06-06-2010 |
| very well explained. Thanks for the share. God Bless you! | |
| khushbu | 23-06-2010 |
| Short &n Simple, yet effectively explained & easy to understand... Keep it up!! | |
| nikhil | 28-06-2010 |
| to the point explanation , just what i was looking for .....!! :) gud work . | |
| Amit sharma | 22-08-2010 |
| really very simple explanation very simple word are use plz put some focus on PUT method | |
| sunil kulkarni | 27-08-2010 |
| it is simple and mindblowing explanation. its look like simple but i gathered lots of information from this differentiation.. Thank you | |
| gurmeet kaur | 29-09-2010 |
| thanks for explaning in so simple words and also do some focus on put method | |
| vandana | 21-10-2010 |
| explanation was good but for the post method should also b given....... | |
| Ganesh Mandlik | 25-11-2010 |
| Good Explanation, but its only about Get Method. | |
| satz | 29-07-2011 |
| yeah..its a very good article..but not explain Post method to enough level....Post method is used for security purpose. end user are not see the processing data.... | |
| MRT | 28-02-2012 |
| Good Explanation, and easy to understanding..! | |
| shailendra | 08-04-2012 |
| nice explanation of GET method,but where is explanation of POST method........sir | |
| zaty | 09-04-2012 |
| i find this very short but informative.nice!thank you:) | |
| Haseeb | 14-05-2012 |
| No this was not helpfull for me. you should tell more about the pros and cons of POST and GET | |
| anoop vaidya | 28-05-2012 |
| Having 5+ yrs exp in IT, i must say...superb way to explain. I am not in web developement so its difficult for me to grasp all these stuffs :p | |
| Sunil prajapati | 21-11-2012 |
| Nice explanation about get and post method my all doubt have gone. | |