Next.js Course
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Beginner

REST API Endpoints

Definition

Exporting specific named functions (`GET`, `POST`, `PUT`, `DELETE`) from a `route.ts` file to handle different types of HTTP requests.

Explain Like I'm New

If an external app sends data to your server to CREATE a user, it sends a `POST` request. You write an `export async function POST()` to handle it. If they want to READ a user, you write a `GET` function. They can all live in the exact same `route.ts` file.

Real World Example

Creating a standard CRUD API for a mobile app. `GET /api/users` returns the list. `POST /api/users` creates a new one.

Common Use Cases

  • •RESTful API architecture

Interactive Example

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Interview Questions

basic

  • Which HTTP method is traditionally used to UPDATE existing data?

intermediate

  • If a client sends a `DELETE` request to your Route Handler, but you only exported a `GET` and `POST` function, what happens?

Flash Cards

Question

Method to update?

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Answer

`PUT` (replaces the whole record) or `PATCH` (partially updates the record).

Question

Unhandled method?

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Answer

Next.js automatically returns a `405 Method Not Allowed` HTTP error to the client.