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HTTP Status Codes

Definition

HTTP status codes are three-digit responses sent by a web server to indicate the outcome of a client's request made via the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). These codes provide insight into whether a request was successful, encountered an error, or was redirected.

Function

The main function of HTTP status codes is to inform the client (usually a web browser) about the result of their request. They categorize responses into five classes:

  1. 1xx (Informational): Indicates that a request was received and is being processed.
  2. 2xx (Success): Indicates that the request was successfully received, understood, and accepted (e.g., 200 OK).
  3. 3xx (Redirection): Indicates that further action is needed to fulfill the request (e.g., 301 Moved Permanently).
  4. 4xx (Client Error): Indicates that there was an error with the request sent by the client (e.g., 404 Not Found).
  5. 5xx (Server Error): Indicates that the server failed to fulfill a valid request (e.g., 500 Internal Server Error).

These codes are essential for debugging and maintaining web applications, as they help developers and users understand what issues may have occurred during the request process.

  • HTTP: The foundation of data communication on the web, facilitating the transfer of information between clients and servers.
  • 404 Error: An HTTP status code indicating that the requested resource could not be found on the server.
  • 301 Redirect: A permanent redirect that sends both users and search engines to a different URL than the one they initially requested, often used in web development to guide traffic during site migrations or changes.

Here is the Wikipedia Article

Reading Suggestions

  • Understanding Analytics: This article provides insights into web analytics, helping you understand how to measure and analyze HTTP status codes among other metrics to improve website performance and user experience.
  • Understanding Bounce Rates: Learn about bounce rates and their implications for your website. Although not directly about HTTP status codes, this article offers valuable information on user engagement that can be useful in conjunction with HTTP analysis.