Which HTTP method to use for file downloading?

php http download attachment http-method
Erik picture Erik · May 3, 2013 · Viewed 12.5k times · Source

In my site users can download their files. But files are generated by using PHP. So what's HTTP method should I use for sending request for download as file attachment? GET or POST?

Answer

deceze picture deceze · May 3, 2013

GET is for passively retrieving files, POST is for altering information on the server. This is as seen from the client, it doesn't matter what the server does or doesn't do in the process.

So unless you're altering some server state in the request: GET.

Related questions

Download File to server from URL

Well, this one seems quite simple, and it is. All you have to do to download a file to your server is: file_put_contents("Tmpfile.zip", file_get_contents("http://someurl/file.zip")); Only there is one problem. What …

Read More
Forcing to download a file using PHP

I have a CSV file on my server. If a user clicks on a link it should download, but instead it opens up in my browser window. My code looks as follows <a href="files/csv/example/example.csv"&…

Read More
Utility of HTTP header "Content-Type: application/force-download" for mobile?

I am currently working on a PHP script that allows you to download media contents (video, audio, pictures...) from your mobile device by accessing a link. (i.e. http://www.my-web-site.com/download.php?id=7ejs8ap) My script worked …

Read More