Python requests.patch Function

The requests.patch function in Python’s requests module is used to make HTTP PATCH requests. This function is typically used to apply partial modifications to a resource on a server.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. requests.patch Function Syntax
3. Examples
   • Basic Usage
   • Sending Form Data
   • Sending JSON Data
   • Sending Headers
   • Handling JSON Responses
4. Real-World Use Case
5. Conclusion

Introduction

The requests.patch function is part of the requests module, which makes it easy to make HTTP requests in Python. You can use this function to send data to a web server to partially update an existing resource and get responses.

requests.patch Function Syntax

Here’s how you use the requests.patch function:

import requests

response = requests.patch(url, **kwargs)

Parameters:

• url: The URL for the request.
• **kwargs: Optional arguments to customize the request. Common ones include:
  • data: Dictionary to send in the body of the request as form data.
  • json: Dictionary to send in the body of the request as JSON.
  • headers: Dictionary of HTTP headers to send with the request.

Returns:

• A Response object containing the server’s response to the HTTP request.

Examples

Basic Usage

Send a simple PATCH request to a URL.

import requests

response = requests.patch('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1')
print(response.json())

Output:

{'userId': 1, 'id': 1, 'title': 'sunt aut facere repellat provident occaecati excepturi optio reprehenderit', 'body': 'quia et suscipit\nsuscipit recusandae consequuntur expedita et cum\nreprehenderit molestiae ut ut quas totam\nnostrum rerum est autem sunt rem eveniet architecto'}

Sending Form Data

Send form data in the body of a PATCH request.

import requests

data = {'title': 'foo'}
response = requests.patch('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1', data=data)
print(response.json())

Output:

{'userId': 1, 'id': 1, 'title': 'foo', 'body': 'quia et suscipit\nsuscipit recusandae consequuntur expedita et cum\nreprehenderit molestiae ut ut quas totam\nnostrum rerum est autem sunt rem eveniet architecto'}

Sending JSON Data

Send JSON data in the body of a PATCH request.

import requests

json_data = {'title': 'foo'}
response = requests.patch('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1', json=json_data)
print(response.json())

Output:

{'userId': 1, 'id': 1, 'title': 'foo', 'body': 'quia et suscipit\nsuscipit recusandae consequuntur expedita et cum\nreprehenderit molestiae ut ut quas totam\nnostrum rerum est autem sunt rem eveniet architecto'}

Sending Headers

Send custom headers with a PATCH request.

import requests

headers = {'Authorization': 'Bearer your_token'}
response = requests.patch('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1', headers=headers)
print(response.json())

Output:

{'userId': 1, 'id': 1, 'title': 'sunt aut facere repellat provident occaecati excepturi optio reprehenderit', 'body': 'quia et suscipit\nsuscipit recusandae consequuntur expedita et cum\nreprehenderit molestiae ut ut quas totam\nnostrum rerum est autem sunt rem eveniet architecto'}

Handling JSON Responses

Send a PATCH request and parse the JSON response.

import requests

json_data = {'title': 'foo'}
response = requests.patch('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1', json=json_data)
data = response.json()
print(data)

Output:

{'userId': 1, 'id': 1, 'title': 'foo', 'body': 'quia et suscipit\nsuscipit recusandae consequuntur expedita et cum\nreprehenderit molestiae ut ut quas totam\nnostrum rerum est autem sunt rem eveniet architecto'}

Real-World Use Case

Partially Updating Data on an API

Partially update data on an API that requires authentication.

import requests

url = 'https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1'
headers = {'Authorization': 'Bearer your_token'}
json_data = {'title': 'foo'}
response = requests.patch(url, headers=headers, json=json_data)
data = response.json()
print(data)

Output:

{'userId': 1, 'id': 1, 'title': 'foo', 'body': 'quia et suscipit\nsuscipit recusandae consequuntur expedita et cum\nreprehenderit molestiae ut ut quas totam\nnostrum rerum est autem sunt rem eveniet architecto'}

Conclusion

The requests.patch function is a simple and effective way to make HTTP PATCH requests in Python. You can use it to partially update data on web servers, include custom headers, and handle JSON responses. This function makes it easy to interact with web services and APIs.