What is the function of the PUT HTTP method?

The function of the PUT HTTP method is to create or replace the resource sent in the request body. When a client sends a PUT request to a server, it typically contains the data needed to create a new resource at a specified URL or replace an existing resource if it already exists at that location. This method is particularly useful for updating existing resources, as it allows the client to send the full representation of the resource in the request body, which the server then saves, replacing the previous version.

The semantics of PUT indicate idempotence, meaning that making the same request multiple times will have the same effect as making it once. Therefore, using the PUT method can both create a new resource if it does not already exist, or update an existing resource with new data where required.

Other choices do not align with the function of the PUT method. For instance, a DELETE resource operation would typically use the DELETE HTTP method, while retrieving resources is the domain of the GET method. Additionally, while updates can be a function of PUT, the phrase "Update a specific query" does not accurately reflect the broader application of the PUT method in managing resource representations.