Which HTTP method is primarily used to retrieve data from a server?

The primary purpose of the GET method in HTTP is to retrieve data from a server. When a client sends a GET request, it is asking the server to send back a specific resource or information, typically represented by a URL. This method is essential for fetching web pages, images, files, or any other type of data hosted on a server.

GET requests are designed to be safe and idempotent, meaning they should not cause any side effects on the server and can be repeated without changing the state of the resource. This makes GET a fundamental part of the client-server interaction on the web, allowing users to obtain information without altering any underlying data.

In contrast, other methods like POST, PUT, and DELETE serve different functions. POST is used to send data to the server, often resulting in the creation of a new resource. PUT is used for updating existing resources. DELETE, as the name suggests, is utilized to remove resources from the server. Each of these methods has its distinct role in the context of HTTP communication, but for merely retrieving data, GET is the preferred and correct method to use.