What distinguishes the "GET" method from the "POST" method in HTTP?

The distinction between the "GET" and "POST" methods in HTTP is fundamentally about their primary functions regarding data transmission between clients and servers. The "GET" method is primarily designed to request data from a server. When a client sends a GET request, it asks the server to return specific resources, such as a webpage or data identified by a URL. The data sent with a GET request is typically included in the URL as query parameters.

On the other hand, the "POST" method is used to submit data to a server. When a client sends a POST request, it submits data for the server to process, which could include form submissions, file uploads, or other data intended to change the server's state or store new information. The data sent in a POST request is included in the body of the request, allowing for larger amounts of data compared to the GET method.

This key difference in functionality—GET for requesting data and POST for sending data—is what sets these two methods apart in the context of web communication and is the correct understanding.