Input parameters as HTTP headers

Because REST services make use of the HTTP protocol, on principle, you can use header information in the HTTP request and response messages to pass any kind of input parameter.

In practice, it is good design to use HTTP headers ONLY for meta-information about technical aspects of messaging such as response format, and NOT for datatechnical parameters such as query conditions. For input parameters that pass datatechnical information, use the URL path, the URL query string, or matrix parameters instead.

Example

For an example of how to make a custom HTTP header an input parameter of a custom REST service, read the section "Implementing X-US-Transaction in custom REST services" in the Calling a REST service without committing help topic.