HTTP verb: DELETE
This course covers the HTTP DELETE method, the verb that removes a resource from the server. It explains how a DELETE request is built from a method, a URL and headers, and why it needs no body. It walks through the status codes a server returns, from 204 No Content to 409 Conflict. It compares soft delete and hard delete, explains cascade, restrict and nullify strategies for dependent data, and describes layers of protection for DELETE endpoints. It ends with routes, controllers, views and CSRF handling in Rails.
What you'll learn
- ✓How a DELETE request is structured and why it needs no body
- ✓Choosing status codes for successful and failed deletions
- ✓The differences between soft delete and hard delete
- ✓Cascade, restrict and nullify strategies for dependent data
- ✓Protection layers for DELETE endpoints, from authentication to audit logging
- ✓Implementing DELETE in Rails with destroy, dependent options and Turbo
What is the DELETE method?
The DELETE method is an HTTP verb used to remove a resource from the server.
Read the full lesson free →Curriculum
7 lessonsWhat is the DELETE method?
Introduces DELETE as the CRUD verb that removes a resource, and explains why it is idempotent but not safe.
The DELETE request
Breaks down a DELETE request into method, URL and headers, covering authorization, CSRF tokens and If-Match conditions.
The DELETE response
Explains the success codes 200, 204 and 202, plus error codes such as 404, 403 and 409.
Soft delete vs hard delete
Compares hard delete, which erases the row, with soft delete, which marks it using a deleted_at timestamp.
Cascading deletes and dependencies
Covers cascade, restrict and nullify strategies for dependent records, at the database and application levels.
Protecting DELETE endpoints
Describes protection layers for DELETE endpoints: authentication, authorization, CSRF, confirmation patterns, rate limiting and audit logging.
DELETE in Rails development
Shows DELETE in Rails through the destroy action, dependent options, Turbo links, automatic CSRF protection and soft delete.