Understanding website status codes is crucial for web developers, administrators, and anyone involved in managing online platforms. These codes are part of the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) standard and indicate the status of a requested HTTP transaction. Here’s a breakdown of common check website status codes and their meanings:
1. Informational Responses (100-199)
- 100 Continue: The server has received the initial part of the request and is indicating that the client can continue with the rest of the request.
- 101 Switching Protocols: The server is indicating a change in the protocol being used on this connection.
2. Successful Responses (200-299)
- 200 OK: The request was successful, and the server provides the requested resource.
- 201 Created: The request has been fulfilled, resulting in the creation of a new resource.
- 204 No Content: The server successfully processed the request but there is no additional content to send in the response.
3. Redirection Messages (300-399)
- 301 Moved Permanently: The requested resource has been permanently moved to a new location, and the new URL is provided.
- 302 Found (or Moved Temporarily): Similar to 301, but the new location is only temporary.
- 304 Not Modified: The resource has not been modified since the last request. Used in response to conditional GET requests.
4. Client Error Responses (400-499)
- 400 Bad Request: The server cannot process the request due to a client error.
- 401 Unauthorized: The request requires user authentication. The client must provide valid credentials.
- 403 Forbidden: The client does not have permission to access the requested resource.
- 404 Not Found: The server cannot find the requested resource.
- 408 Request Timeout: The server timed out waiting for the request.
5. Server Error Responses (500-599)
- 500 Internal Server Error: A generic error message indicating an unexpected condition encountered by the server.
- 502 Bad Gateway: The server, while acting as a gateway or proxy, received an invalid response from the upstream server it accessed.
- 503 Service Unavailable: The server is not ready to handle the request. Commonly used during maintenance or when the server is overloaded.
- 504 Gateway Timeout: The server, while acting as a gateway or proxy, did not receive a timely response from the upstream server or some other auxiliary server.
6. Custom Codes
- 418 I’m a teapot: A humorous code introduced as an April Fools’ joke. It indicates that the server refuses the attempt to brew coffee with a teapot.
Understanding these HTTP status codes helps diagnose issues, optimize website performance, and ensure a smooth user experience. Regular monitoring of these codes is essential for addressing potential problems and maintaining the health of web services.