How to Send a PUT Request without Body and Content-Length Header Using Apache HTTP Client

Learn how to effectively send a PUT request without content and the Content-Length header using the Apache HTTP Client in Java. Discover step-by-step solutions and practical examples.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Howto send PUT request without content and Content-Length header with Apache http client?

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Send a PUT Request without Body and Content-Length Header Using Apache HTTP Client

When testing APIs, you might find yourself in a scenario where you need to send a PUT request without any body and the Content-Length header. This is especially important for ensuring how the server and any intermediaries (like proxies) respond to such requests. If you've been using Apache HTTP Client and run into issues with it automatically appending the Content-Length header, don’t worry; we have a solution for that!

Why is This Important?

Sending a PUT request without any content is similar to what you might do with a tool like curl:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This execution is straightforward with curl, but achieving this through the Apache HTTP Client can be tricky due to its automatic handling of headers. Understanding how to control these headers can be crucial for your automated testing scenarios.

The Challenge with Apache HTTP Client

When you create a PUT request with the Apache HTTP Client (version 4.5.13), the library tends to automatically add a Content-Length header even if you're not including any content in the body. You might have even tried removing the header manually like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Unfortunately, this method won't yield the desired results.

Solution: Using a Request Interceptor

To send a PUT request without a body and without a Content-Length header, you can utilize a request interceptor. This allows you to modify requests generated by the standard protocol processor effectively. Here’s how to set it up in your Java application:

Step-by-Step Implementation

Create an Interceptor: This interceptor will remove the Content-Length header from the request.

Build the HttpClient: Use the custom client builder to add your interceptor to the request processing chain.

Execute the Request: Build your HttpPut request and execute it using the HttpClient.

Example Code

Here's a complete example to illustrate these steps:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Points to Understand

Interceptor Functionality: The interceptor is critical for preventing the automatic addition of the Content-Length header.

Response Handling: The response is consumed to ensure no resources remain unclosed.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined above, you can successfully send a PUT request without a body and without the Content-Length header using Apache HTTP Client. This approach not only aligns with standard server testing practices but also gives you greater control over HTTP requests in your Java applications.

Feel free to try it out and ensure your server behavior during such scenarios is as expected!