PHP AJAX Requests: `php://input` vs. `$_POST` – Which Method Should I Use?

PHP: Choosing Between the "php://input" and $_POST Methods for Handling Ajax Requests

When working with Ajax requests in PHP, developers may find themselves confronted with the decision between utilizing either "php://input" or the global $_POST method. This article aims to shed light on the advantages and use cases of both methods.

php://input

The "php://input" method returns all raw data received after the HTTP headers of the request, irrespective of its content type. This is particularly beneficial when working with non-standard content types, such as JSON or XML, which may not be supported by the traditional $_POST wrapper. However, "php://input" requires manual parsing of the raw data, which can add complexity to the code.

$_POST

The $_POST global variable is commonly used to access form data transmitted via the HTTP POST method. By default, $_POST only supports data encoded in the application/x-www-form-urlencoded or multipart/form-data format. This makes it suitable for handling simple form submissions. However, it is not suitable for more complex data types or structures, such as JSON, which would require additional processing.

Comparison

In summary, "php://input" provides access to all raw HTTP request data, while $_POST is limited to specific content types. For simple form posts or when the content type is application/x-www-form-urlencoded or multipart/form-data, $_POST is a convenient option. For non-standard content or complex data, "php://input" offers greater flexibility.

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