In a RESTful application, how do we differentiate between an “action” and an HTTP verb (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)?

Question

In a RESTful application, how do we differentiate between an \"action\" and an HTTP verb (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)?

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Answer 1

IMHO, the best option is to make the request method a part of controller's action.

Lets say you are accessing http://who.cares/product/42 or http://who.cares/product/42/specification . This query to webserver would translate as Product controller. The actions name should be created by combining request method and command:

DELETE "http://who.cares/product/42"

    controller: "Product", 
    action:     "deleteProduct()" 


GET "http://who.cares/product/42/details"

    controller: "Product", 
    action:     "getDetails()"


POST "http://who.cares/product/42/review"

    controller: "Product", 
    action:     "postReview()"


GET "http://who.cares/products/ 

    controller: "Products", 
    action:     "getProducts()"


POST "http://who.cares/products/ 

    controller: "Products", 
    action:     "postProducts()"