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How to Send HTTP HEAD Requests in Java

by vigneshchennai74 Updated: Jan 24, 2023

HEAD is an HTTP request technique that provides header information for a particular resource.

It is the same as the GET method but only transfers the status line and header section.
Also, it is much faster than the GET function as it only returns brief information about the document, not the actual document, thus returning a lesser amount of data.

For example, if a URL might produce large information, we can get only the brief header information on sending a HEAD request.

The HEAD method is mainly used for hashing purposes to see if the document has changed since it is last accessed. If it is changed, we must send a request to the server for the latest document. The HEAD request includes the request line as the first line and then the request header. When the HEAD request goes to the server, it will process the HEAD request and send the response back to the client.

Here is an example of how to send HTTP HEAD requests in Java;

Preview of the output that you will get on running this code from your IDE

Code

In this function HttpClinet function is used.

Sends HTTP HEAD request .

javaLines of Code : 17

public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException, InterruptedException {

        HttpClient client = HttpClient.newHttpClient();

        var request = HttpRequest.newBuilder(URI.create("http://webcode.me"))
                .method("HEAD", HttpRequest.BodyPublishers.noBody())
                .build();

        HttpResponse response = client.send(request,
                HttpResponse.BodyHandlers.discarding());

        HttpHeaders headers = response.headers();

        headers.map().forEach((key, values) -> {
            System.out.printf("%s: %s%n", key, values);
        });
    }

Copy the code using the "Copy" button above, and paste it in a Java file in your IDE.
Add java.net library.
Run the file to get the output.

I hope you found this useful. I have added the link to dependent libraries, version information in the following sections.

I found this code snippet by searching for "Display HTTP HEAD request in Java" in Kandi. You can try any such use case!

Dependent library

http-requestby kevinsawicki

Java 3288 Version:6.0

License: Permissive (MIT)

Java HTTP Request Library

Support

Quality

Security

License

Reuse

http-requestby kevinsawicki

Java 3288 Version:6.0 License: Permissive (MIT)

Java HTTP Request Library

Support

Quality

Security

License

Reuse

Environment Test

I tested this solution in the following versions. Be mindful of changes when working with other versions.

The solution is created and executed in java version "1.8.0_251"

Using this solution, we are able to Display HTTP head request in java with simple steps. This process also facilities an easy to use, hassle free method to create a hands-on working version of code which would help us request http in java