What is the intended use of the PATCH HTTP method?

The PATCH HTTP method is specifically designed for making partial modifications to an existing resource. This means that when you send a PATCH request, you are typically only sending the data elements that you want to change, rather than replacing the entire resource. This can make PATCH more efficient than other methods such as PUT, which would require you to send the entire resource representation, even if only one small part of it has changed. By allowing for partial updates, PATCH enables a more flexible and efficient way to manage resources in web applications.

In contrast, replacing an entire resource would typically involve using the PUT method. Deleting a resource is accomplished using the DELETE method, and creating a new resource is typically done using the POST method. Hence, the use of PATCH for partial modifications is clearly aligned with its intended purpose in RESTful API design.