According to recommended REST conventions, which HTTP method should be used to request data from a resource?

When following recommended REST conventions, the appropriate HTTP method to request data from a resource is GET. The GET method is designed specifically for retrieving information from the server without causing any modifications to the resource's state. This aligns with the principles of RESTful design, where actions are mapped clearly to standard HTTP methods, providing a clear and predictable interface for resource manipulation.

GET requests are typically safe and idempotent, meaning they can be called multiple times without affecting the resource's state. The response to a GET request will usually return a representation of the resource, allowing clients to retrieve and use data without altering it. This design encourages a clear separation of concerns, where reading data does not impact its integrity. It is a fundamental part of building RESTful APIs, as it allows consumers to access resources easily and efficiently.

In contrast, other methods such as POST, PUT, and PATCH are intended for creating or modifying resources, which does not align with the goal of simply requesting data. Therefore, GET is the correct choice for retrieving data from a resource in a RESTful manner.