HTTPS POST requests from browsers, why do I have to use an add-on?

Question

I have HTTP Requester add-on for firefox to make HTTPS POST requests. I just don't get why can't I simply copy and paste my HTTPS request URL directly in my browser ? Isn't it the same ? Why do I have to use an add on ?

Answer 1

Because if you just paste your request directly on your browser, you are going to issue a GET HTTP command and not a POST one.

POST are a little bit more complicated to format. You could use a TELNET command to issue a post command like this:

$ telnet YOUR_IP 80
POST / HTTP/1.1
Host: 10.111.111.26

key1=value1&key2=value2

Answer 2

Just use a HTML form to issue a POST request from your browser:

<form action="URL_you_want_to_post_to" method="post">
  <input type="submit" value="Send"></input>
</form>

You might also want to look at command line tools like HTTPIE or CURL.