What does the -X option allow you to specify when using Curl?

The -X option in Curl is specifically used to specify the HTTP method that you want to use for a request. This flexibility allows developers to define the type of operation they intend to perform on the target resource, such as GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc. By specifying the method, it helps to explicitly indicate how the server should process the request. For example, if you want to submit data to a server, you would use the POST method.

Using the -X option can be particularly useful when the default method (GET) may not be appropriate for the request at hand. By clearly designating the HTTP method through -X, users can have more control over their interactions with the API or web server. This aligns with RESTful principles, where the HTTP method signifies the action to be taken on a resource.