$_POST vs. $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] == 'POST': When to Use Which?

Understanding the Difference Between $_POST and $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] == 'POST'

A developer's submission to Snipplr faced criticism for using $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] == 'POST' instead of $_POST. While the request method approach may seem logically sound, it's essential to understand the distinction between the two.

$_POST contains data transferred to the server through the POST HTTP request method. This data is accessible through the $_POST array and can be used to process form submissions and other POST-based inputs.

On the other hand, $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] provides information about the HTTP request method used by the client. By checking if the request method is "POST," you can verify that the request was transmitted using the POST method. However, this condition alone does not guarantee the presence of POST data in the $_POST array.

Consider the scenario of an empty POST request. In such cases, although the request is made using the POST method, no data is included. Checking the request method (if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] == 'POST')) would return true, but querying $_POST would result in an empty array.

Ultimately, the choice between using $_POST and $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] == 'POST' depends on the intended purpose. If your focus is solely on verifying the request method, then $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] == 'POST' suffices. However, if you need to process POST data, it's important to directly access the $_POST array.

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