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## Introduction

The OPTIONS method represents a request for information about the communication options available on the request/response chain identified by the request URL. This method allows the client to determine the options and/or requirements associated with a resource, or the capabilities of a server, without implying a resource action or initiating a resource retrieval.

## Typical Usage

Typically the options method is used to determine what methods are supported by the server, and this is accomodated by the `getAllowedMethods` function.

            OptionsMethod options = new OptionsMethod("http://jakarta.apache.org");
            // execute method and handle any error responses.
            ...
            Enumeration allowedMethods = options.getAllowedMethods();
            options.releaseConnection();

## Common Problems

None.

## RFC Section

The options method is defined in section 9.2 of RFC2616.