What is the main purpose of using the HTTP PATCH method in server interaction?

The HTTP PATCH method is used for partial updates of a resource on the server. Unlike PUT, which typically replaces the entire resource, PATCH allows sending only the changes that need to be made.

The main goal of PATCH is to improve data transfer efficiency and reduce load by sending only the modified fields or parts of an object. For example, if a user has a profile with several fields and only the email address needs to be updated, PATCH can send just this field instead of the entire profile.

Example of a PATCH request:

import requests

url = 'https://api.example.com/users/123'
data = {'email': 'newemail@example.com'}
response = requests.patch(url, json=data)
print(response.status_code)

Thus, PATCH is convenient for partial updates of resources.