Length limit for JSON parameters on GET request

Question

My Android application makes two GET calls for my server API. In the first case, this is where the code parameter is a string of 256 char.

 $.getJSON( myServerEndpoint, { action: "doStuff1", username: $("#username").val(), code: my256charString, format: "json" }) .done(function( data ) { doStuff2Response(data); }); 

The second is the one where the code parameter is a 5120 char string. Both users reach the same server endpoint.

 $.getJSON( myServerEndpoint, { action: "doStuff2", username: $("#username").val(), code: my5120CharString, format: "json" }) .done(function( data ) { doStuff2Response(data); }); 

When I call them both from the same device and the same user connected to Wi-Fi or most mobile data providers, it works fine.

However, when I connect from the Vodafone data connection, the second request never reaches the server. I can not find another explanation, except that there is a limit on the length of the parameters using Vodafone.

Any ideas or solutions?

Answer 1

OK, so here it is. Read the following first: What is the maximum length of a URL in different browsers?

Yes, there is a “URL” length limit, but somehow I don’t know how to explain why this only happens for vodafone. Also, I don’t even know how the request goes through their servers anyway.

As for the solution, you should consider switching from a GET request to a POST request when the payload is too large.

Answer 2

Quick fix: Base64 encodes part of the code message. Disadvantage: you have to decode on the server. This is a standard feature in most languages.

If you are already using Base64 or somesuch cypher, what about Blobs? https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Blob

The chromano offer is also available, just switch to POST and you will definitely receive an unlimited mail body. Downside: Have JSON.stringify and JSON.parse for yourself, and if you want to expose this URL to the user (say, as a sharing link), he can no longer carry the same information (URL - GET requests) .