Getting a status "200 OK" instead of "201 Created"

SMirza · October 2016

If I send a POST request using a URL like: http://[website.name.com]/api/[endpoint] , I get a status “201 Created” and creates a new row in the database table with a new primary key ID. The value for this new primary key ID is automatically selected by the framework which is the next available row number that was not used before; which is expected to happen.

But if I send a POST request using a URL like: http://[website.name.com]/api/[endpoint]/[an_integer] so that I can use [an_integer] as the new primary key ID, I get a status “200 OK” although it creates a new row in the database table with a new primary key ID that has the value [an_integer]. I was expecting to get a “201 Created” status since it is a newly created row in the database table.

Is there any way I can get “201 Created” status when I send a POST request using a URL http://[website.name.com]/api/[endpoint]/[an_integer]?

DonBakke · October 2016

First, it is my opinion that POST should never identify a new resource in the URL. That is how I read the RFC. If you intend to create a new resource with an identifier in the URL I believe the proper method is PUT.

How are you handling the updating of the database? Are you using the PostDatabaseItem method of HTTP_Resource_Services? If so, then the logic that sets a status code of 200 is near the top as it assumes any Item ID that is pre-populated implies a pre-existing resource rather than a new resource. That code could be improved and updated as follows:

Lock hTable, ItemID then
    ItemURL     = SelfURL
    Read ItemRec from hTable, ItemID then
        StatusCode  = 200       ; // Updating an existing resource.
    end else
        StatusCode  = 201       ; // Creating a new resource.
        ItemRec     = ''
    end
    HaveItemID  = True$
end

SMirza · October 2016

Since there is no separate PUT method in the framework I am trying this using the POST method.

Yes, I am using PostDatabaseItem method of HTTP_Resource_Services. I'll update the code in HTTP_Resource_Services.

Thanks.

DonBakke · October 2016

Since there is no separate PUT method in the framework I am trying this using the POST method.

What do you mean by this? Just add it to your end point API.

SMirza · October 2016

I think I misunderstood the PostDatabaseItem method, that's why I said that. I guess I use PostDatabaseItem method of HTTP_Resource_Services for PUT as well if I add the method to the endpoint. Am I correct?

DonBakke · October 2016

That's probably what I would do.

SMirza · October 2016

Make sense. It is working now for both PUT and POST methods. Thanks a lot.

Getting a status "200 OK" instead of "201 Created"

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