← Glossary
What does "fetch" mean in programming?
fetch is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
To retrieve data from a server or API. In JavaScript, the built-in fetch() function sends HTTP requests and returns a Promise. Developers also use 'fetch' as a general verb for any data retrieval.
Example
"const res = await fetch('/api/users'); const data = await res.json();"
Word forms
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| fetch | verb (infinitive) | To retrieve data from a server or external source | "Fetch the user data from the API before rendering the page." |
| fetched | past tense | Retrieved data from a server | "The posts were fetched on the server side." |
| fetching | gerund | Retrieving data from a server | "Fetching data on every render is inefficient; use caching." |
Related terms
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