# Request aliases

axios provides a set of aliases for making HTTP requests. These aliases are shortcuts for making requests using the `request` method. The aliases are designed to be easy to use and to provide a more convenient way to make requests.

axios endeavours to follow RFC 7231 and RFC 5789, as closely as possible. The aliases are designed to be consistent with the HTTP methods defined in these RFCs.

### `axios`

axios can be used to make HTTP request by passing only the config object. The full config object is documented [here](/pages/advanced/request-config)

```ts
axios(url: string | AxiosRequestConfig, config?: AxiosRequestConfig);
```

## Method aliases

The following aliases are available for making requests:

### `request`

The `request` method is the main method that you will use to make HTTP requests. It takes a configuration object as an argument and returns a promise that resolves to the response object. The `request` method is a generic method that can be used to make any type of HTTP request.

```ts
axios.request(config: AxiosRequestConfig<C>): AxiosResponse<R>;
```

### `get`

The `get` method is used to make a GET request. It takes a URL and an optional configuration object as arguments and returns a promise that resolves to the response object.

```ts
axios.get(url: string, config?: AxiosRequestConfig<C>): AxiosResponse<R>;
```

### `delete`

The `delete` method is used to make a DELETE request. It takes a URL and an optional configuration object as arguments and returns a promise that resolves to the response object.

```ts
axios.delete(url: string, config?: AxiosRequestConfig<C>): AxiosResponse<R>;
```

### `head`

The `head` method is used to make a HEAD request. It takes a URL and an optional configuration object as arguments and returns a promise that resolves to the response object.

```ts
axios.head(url: string, config?: AxiosRequestConfig<C>): AxiosResponse<R>;
```

### `options`

The `options` method is used to make an OPTIONS request. It takes a URL and an optional configuration object as arguments and returns a promise that resolves to the response object.

```ts
axios.options(url: string, config?: AxiosRequestConfig<C>): AxiosResponse<R>;
```

### `post`

The `post` method is used to make a POST request. It takes a URL, an optional data object, and an optional configuration object as arguments and returns a promise that resolves to the response object.

```ts
axios.post(url: string, data?: D, config?: AxiosRequestConfig<C>): AxiosResponse<R>;
```

### `put`

The `put` method is used to make a PUT request. It takes a URL, an optional data object, and an optional configuration object as arguments and returns a promise that resolves to the response object.

```ts
axios.put(url: string, data?: D, config?: AxiosRequestConfig<C>): AxiosResponse<R>;
```

### `patch`

The `patch` method is used to make a PATCH request. It takes a URL, an optional data object, and an optional configuration object as arguments and returns a promise that resolves to the response object.

```ts
axios.patch(url: string, data?: D, config?: AxiosRequestConfig<C>): AxiosResponse<R>;
```

### `query`

The `query` method is used to make a QUERY request, a safe and idempotent method that carries a body. It takes a URL, an optional data object, and an optional configuration object as arguments and returns a promise that resolves to the response object. Use it for read-style operations whose parameters are too complex or sensitive to fit in the URL.

```ts
axios.query(url: string, data?: D, config?: AxiosRequestConfig<C>): AxiosResponse<R>;
```

```js
// Send a complex search filter as a request body
const { data } = await axios.query("/api/search", {
  selector: ["name", "email"],
  filter: { active: true, role: "admin" },
});
```

::: warning Draft specification
The QUERY method is defined by an IETF [Internet-Draft](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-ietf-httpbis-safe-method-w-body/) and has not yet been standardized. Semantics and the method name itself may change before final publication, and server, proxy, and CDN support is uneven. Verify your stack accepts `QUERY` end to end before relying on it in production.
:::

## Form data shorthand methods

These methods are equivalent to their counterparts above, but preset `Content-Type` to `multipart/form-data`. They are the recommended way to upload files or submit HTML forms.

### `postForm`

```ts
axios.postForm(url: string, data?: D, config?: AxiosRequestConfig<C>): AxiosResponse<R>;
```

```js
// Upload a file from a browser file input
await axios.postForm("/api/upload", {
  file: document.querySelector("#fileInput").files[0],
  description: "Profile photo",
});
```

### `putForm`

```ts
axios.putForm(url: string, data?: D, config?: AxiosRequestConfig<C>): AxiosResponse<R>;
```

```js
// Replace a resource with form data
await axios.putForm("/api/users/1/avatar", {
  avatar: document.querySelector("#avatarInput").files[0],
});
```

### `patchForm`

```ts
axios.patchForm(url: string, data?: D, config?: AxiosRequestConfig<C>): AxiosResponse<R>;
```

```js
// Update specific fields using form data
await axios.patchForm("/api/users/1", {
  displayName: "New Name",
  avatar: document.querySelector("#avatarInput").files[0],
});
```

::: tip
`postForm`, `putForm`, and `patchForm` accept all the same data types as their base methods — plain objects, `FormData`, `FileList`, and `HTMLFormElement`. See [File posting](/pages/advanced/file-posting) for more examples.
:::
