What is achieved by using the DELETE HTTP method?

Using the DELETE HTTP method serves the specific purpose of removing a resource identified by a URL from the server. When a client sends a DELETE request to a server, it indicates that the client intends to eliminate the specified resource.

This operation is part of the RESTful API design, which employs standard HTTP methods to perform operations on resources. In this context, a resource could be any entity, such as a user account, a file, or any data object manageable by the server. Upon successful processing of the DELETE request, the server typically responds with a status code indicating the result of the operation, confirming that the resource has been removed.

While other HTTP methods such as GET, POST, and PUT are used for retrieving, creating, and updating resources respectively, the DELETE method is solely focused on the deletion aspect of resource management. This clear demarcation of functionality aligns with REST principles and aids developers in understanding the intended actions when utilizing various HTTP methods.