Which method is used to handle incoming HTTP GET requests in an Apex REST class?

The method used to handle incoming HTTP GET requests in an Apex REST class is annotated with @HttpGet. This annotation specifically designates that the method will process HTTP GET requests, which are typically used to retrieve data without causing any side effects on the server.

When a request comes into the endpoint defined by the Apex REST class and it is an HTTP GET request, the method marked with @HttpGet will be invoked. This allows developers to fetch data from Salesforce or return specific resources by providing the appropriate endpoint. The typical use case involves querying records or retrieving data based on some parameters passed in the URL.

By using this annotation, developers can ensure that their services are properly aligned with RESTful principles, where different HTTP methods are used to represent different actions (GET for retrieving, POST for creating, etc.). This differentiation allows for cleaner and more maintainable API design.