HTTP status codes are three-digit numbers returned by a web server in response to a client’s request made to the server. Each status code provides information about the result of the request and any subsequent actions that should be taken. Here’s an elaboration on some common HTTP status codes:

  1. 1xx (Informational):
  • 100 Continue: The server has received the initial part of the request, and the client can continue with the rest of the request or ignore it if it has already been completed.
  1. 2xx (Success):
  • 200 OK: The request was successful, and the server has returned the requested data.
  • 201 Created: The request was successful, and a new resource was created as a result.
  • 204 No Content: The request was successful, but there is no additional information to send back (commonly used in DELETE requests).
  1. 3xx (Redirection):
  • 301 Moved Permanently: The requested resource has been permanently moved to a new location.
  • 302 Found (or 307 Temporary Redirect): The requested resource has been temporarily moved to another location.
  • 304 Not Modified: The client’s cached copy is still valid, and there is no need to transfer the requested content again.
  1. 4xx (Client Error):
  • 400 Bad Request: The server could not understand the request due to malformed syntax, missing parameters, etc.
  • 401 Unauthorized: The request requires user authentication, and the user has not provided valid credentials.
  • 403 Forbidden: The server understood the request but refuses to authorize it.
  • 404 Not Found: The requested resource could not be found on the server.
  1. 5xx (Server Error):
  • 500 Internal Server Error: A generic error message indicating that the server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request.
  • 501 Not Implemented: The server does not support the functionality required to fulfill the request.
  • 503 Service Unavailable: The server is temporarily unable to handle the request, usually due to maintenance or overloading.

Understanding these status codes is crucial for both developers and users to diagnose issues and ensure the proper functioning of web applications. When interacting with APIs or browsing the web, the status code in the HTTP response provides valuable information about the success or failure of a request.

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