We've seen use cases for a similar feature for iframes and hyperlinks. For example:
<a href="/logout" post-data>Logout</a> would be more semantically correct that just <a href="/logout">Logout</a> because it would generate a POST instead of a GET. Adam On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 10:59 AM, Martin Janecke <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi all, > > What is your opinion on enabling the HTTP POST method for the img element? > The motivation behind this is that there are services which generate images > automatically based on parameters given -- nowadays provided as query string > in a GET request -- for inclusion in web pages. I've listed examples below. > However, these query strings can get really long and it seems to me that the > HTTP POST method would be more appropriate than the GET method for such > services. Not only because it would better match the intended use of these > methods (see http://www.w3.org/Protocols/rfc2616/rfc2616-sec9.html#sec9), but > also for practical reasons: URLs in GET requests are (inconsistently) limited > in length by browsers and server software, which limits these services > (inconsistently). And long URLs bloat server logs. > > This could be implemented with an optional attribute, e.g. "post-data". The > client would request the source using the POST method if the attribute is > present and send the attribute's value as the request's message body. > > Martin > > PS: This doesn't necessarily need to be restricted to img elements. If you > encountered use cases for other elements that embed content, feel free to add > them. > > > === Example/Use Cases === > > (1) MimeTeX and MathTeX are used to display mathematical formulae in web > pages. This is often used in science forums. Info: > > http://www.forkosh.com/mathtex.html > http://www.forkosh.com/mimetex.html > > Current use in web pages: > > <img > src="http://www.forkosh.dreamhost.com/mathtex.cgi?\begin{align}%0D%0A\Gamma(z)%20%26%3D%20\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{n!\;n^z}{z\;(z%2B1)\cdots(z%2Bn)}%20%3D%20\frac{1}{z}\prod_{n%3D1}^\infty\frac{\left(1%2B\frac{1}{n}\right)^z}{1%2B\frac{z}{n}}%20\\%0D%0A\Gamma(z)%20%26%3D%20\frac{e^{-\gamma%20z}}{z}\prod_{n%3D1}^\infty\left(1%2B\frac{z}{n}\right)^{-1}e^{z/n}%0D%0A\end{align}" > alt="gamma function definition"> > > Possible future use: > > <img src="http://www.forkosh.dreamhost.com/mathtex.cgi"; > post-data="\begin{align}%0D%0A\Gamma(z)%20%26%3D%20\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{n!\;n^z}{z\;(z%2B1)\cdots(z%2Bn)}%20%3D%20\frac{1}{z}\prod_{n%3D1}^\infty\frac{\left(1%2B\frac{1}{n}\right)^z}{1%2B\frac{z}{n}}%20\\%0D%0A\Gamma(z)%20%26%3D%20\frac{e^{-\gamma%20z}}{z}\prod_{n%3D1}^\infty\left(1%2B\frac{z}{n}\right)^{-1}e^{z/n}%0D%0A\end{align}" > alt="gamma function definition"> > > > (2) QR-Code generators encode texts or URLs in a way that can be easily read > by devices such as cell phones with built-in cameras. Info and generator: > > http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ > > Current use in web pages: > > <img > src="http://qrcode.kaywa.com/img.php?s=8&d=Ah%2C%20distinctly%20I%20remember%20it%20was%20in%20the%20bleak%20December%2C%0D%0AAnd%20each%20separate%20dying%20ember%20wrought%20its%20ghost%20upon%20the%20floor."; > alt="qrcode"> > > Possible future use: > > <img src="http://qrcode.kaywa.com/img.php"; > post-data="s=8&d=Ah%2C%20distinctly%20I%20remember%20it%20was%20in%20the%20bleak%20December%2C%0D%0AAnd%20each%20separate%20dying%20ember%20wrought%20its%20ghost%20upon%20the%20floor." > alt="qrcode"> > >
