What is the semantic difference between the GET and POST methods?

HTTP GET and POST methods differ in meaning and application:

• GET is used to request data from a server. It should be idempotent and not change the server's state. Parameters are passed in the URL (query string). GET requests can be cached, bookmarked, and are usually faster.

• POST is intended for sending data to the server, often to create or modify resources. Data is sent in the request body. POST requests are not idempotent and are not cached by the browser by default.

Example:

import requests

# GET request with parameters in URL
response = requests.get('https://api.example.com/items', params={'id': 123})

# POST request with data in body
response = requests.post('https://api.example.com/items', json={'name': 'NewItem'})

Thus, GET is for retrieving data without side effects, POST is for sending data that may change the server's state.