Sending data via request header vs sending data via request body

javascript servlets http-headers httprequest httpurlconnection
UnahD picture UnahD · Oct 26, 2015 · Viewed 11.2k times · Source

What is the difference between sending data through the request header and sending data through the request body. Under what circumstances, we have to send the data through the header/body and when shouldn't we send the data through header/body ?

Answer

Pradeep Vairamani picture Pradeep Vairamani · Jun 29, 2017

It is usually a good idea to use the headers for metadata and the body for the data that is used by the business logic.

Some points to consider:

1) If the data is sent via HTTP instead of HTTPS, the proxy servers can modify the headers.

2) If you are using the REST protocol for communication among microservices, interoperability could be important. Most APIs usually do not provide the capability to add/modify custom headers.

3) It is better to have the data that is used by routers/firewalls in the HTTP header and limit the body to application specific information.

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