Description: Status codes are issued by a server in response to a client’s request. These codes are a fundamental part of the HTTP protocol and allow developers and users to understand the outcome of a request. Each status code is a three-digit number that indicates the result of the requested operation. The codes are grouped into five main categories: 1xx (informational), 2xx (success), 3xx (redirection), 4xx (client errors), and 5xx (server errors). This classification helps quickly identify the nature of the problem or the success of the request. For example, a 200 code indicates that the request was successful, while a 404 code indicates that the requested resource was not found. Correct interpretation of these codes is essential for web application development, as it allows developers to implement error handling logic and improve user experience. Additionally, in the context of web development, status codes are used to manage HTTP responses efficiently, facilitating the creation of robust APIs and web applications. In terms of logging and observability, status codes are crucial for monitoring application performance and health, allowing development teams to identify and proactively address issues.
History: HTTP status codes were introduced in 1991 with the specification of the HTTP/1.0 protocol. Since then, they have evolved with subsequent versions of the protocol, including HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2. Over the years, new codes have been added to address different situations and improve communication between clients and servers.
Uses: Status codes are primarily used in web development to inform clients about the outcome of their requests. They are essential for debugging and error handling, allowing developers to identify issues in their applications and improve user experience.
Examples: An example of using status codes is when a user tries to access a non-existent webpage, receiving a 404 code. Another example is a successful request to an API that returns a 200 code along with the requested data.
