What is the difference between POST and PATCH?

POST and PATCH are both HTTP methods used to modify resources, but they serve different purposes. POST is used to create a new resource or submit data to a server. It is not idempotent; sending the same POST request multiple times can create multiple resources. PATCH, on the other hand, is used to apply partial updates to an existing resource. It is idempotent when the same patch is applied repeatedly, and it typically includes only the fields that need to change. In practice, use POST when you want the server to generate a new resource ID or perform an action, and use PATCH when you need to update specific attributes of an existing resource without sending the entire representation.