What does the DELETE HTTP method do?

The DELETE HTTP method is specifically designed to remove a resource that is identified by a specific URL. When a DELETE request is made to a server, the server processes this request by identifying the resource associated with the provided URL and then executing the deletion of that resource. This method is part of the RESTful API design principles, where CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, and Delete) are mapped to specific HTTP methods.

In contrast, the other choices represent different HTTP methods: an update would normally be performed using the PUT or PATCH methods, retrieving data corresponds with the GET method, and creating a resource is accomplished using the POST method. Thus, the DELETE method's primary and defined purpose is to remove resources from the server, making the correct understanding of its function essential for effective API design and implementation.