Real Python: Python's Requests Library (Guide)

The Requests library is a popular Python package for making HTTP requests, requiring separate installation. It simplifies HTTP interactions, offering functions for GET, POST, and other methods. GET requests are made using `requests.get()` with the URL. Headers are added via a dictionary in the `headers` parameter. POST data is sent using `data` for form data or `json` for JSON. Response content is accessed as a string via `response.text` or raw bytes with `response.content`. The tutorial covers request customization, response handling, authentication, and performance optimization techniques. It emphasizes using virtual environments for package management. Installation is done using `python -m pip install requests`. The library's absence from the standard library allows for independent evolution. Finally, the tutorial provides a hands-on introduction to making and inspecting GET requests.