Explore key concepts of the HTTP protocol and status codes with these beginner-friendly questions, focusing on their meanings, common uses, and response scenarios. Ideal for users wanting to solidify their understanding of web communications and correct HTTP response handling.
Which HTTP method is typically used to retrieve data from a web server without making any changes?
Explanation: GET is used to request data from a server without causing side effects or modifying resources. PUT is intended for updating or creating resources, DELETE removes data, and PATCH partially updates an existing resource. Only GET is designed solely for safe data retrieval.
When a server responds with a 404 status code, what does it indicate about the requested resource?
Explanation: A 404 status code means the server could not find the requested resource. It does not indicate success, so 'Request successful' is incorrect. 'Server error' would be a 5xx code, while 'Temporary redirection' relates to a 302 status.
Which HTTP method is generally considered both safe and idempotent?
Explanation: GET is safe because it doesn't modify data, and idempotent because repeating it yields the same result. POST is not safe or idempotent, TRACE is for diagnostics and isn't used for data retrieval, and CONNECT establishes tunnels and is not typically idempotent.
What is the primary meaning of the HTTP status code 301?
Explanation: A 301 code signals that the resource has been permanently moved to a new URL. 'Unauthorized request' is a 401 status, 'Partial content' is 206, and 'Method not allowed' is 405. Only 301 is associated with permanent redirection.
Which HTTP header is commonly used to describe the type of data sent by the server, such as 'text/html'?
Explanation: Content-Type indicates the media type of the resource. User-Agent describes the client making the request, Referer shows the referrer page, and Host specifies the domain. Only Content-Type reveals the nature of the server's data.
Which group of HTTP status codes indicates success?
Explanation: 2xx status codes represent successful responses. 1xx are informational, 3xx are for redirection, and 5xx indicate server errors. Only 2xx confirms the correct and expected completion of a request.
What does a 500 status code most commonly represent in HTTP?
Explanation: 500 is used when the server encounters an unexpected condition. 'Forbidden' is represented by 403, 'Moved permanently' by 301, and 'Bad gateway' by 502. Only 500 specifically signals an unexpected issue on the server side.
For submitting form data that causes changes on a server, which HTTP method should typically be used?
Explanation: POST is designed for creating or updating resources and handling data that causes changes on the server. GET requests should not modify data, OPTIONS is for discovering supported methods, and HEAD fetches headers only. POST is the standard method for sending data from forms.
If a server returns a 403 status code to a client's request, what does it indicate?
Explanation: 403 means the server refuses to fulfill the request, regardless of authentication. 'Unauthorized' is 401, 'Not found' is 404, and 'Request timeout' is 408. Only 403 signals that access is not allowed.
Which HTTP version first introduced persistent connections by default, allowing multiple requests on one connection?
Explanation: HTTP/1.1 introduced persistent connections using the 'keep-alive' feature, allowing multiple requests per connection. HTTP/1.0 required explicit headers for this, HTTP/2 came later with multiplexing, and HTTP/0.9 had very basic functionality. Only HTTP/1.1 made it default.
Which HTTP status code typically indicates that a new resource has been successfully created as a result of the request?
Explanation: 201 means 'Created' and shows that the server successfully created a resource. 204 is 'No Content', 304 is 'Not Modified', and 422 refers to 'Unprocessable Entity'. 201 is uniquely used for successful creations.
If a requested resource has moved temporarily and clients should use the original URL for future requests, which status code is used?
Explanation: 302 indicates a temporary redirect, telling clients to use the original URL again. 307 and 308 are related to redirects but have stricter or permanent meanings. 205 means 'Reset Content' and is unrelated to redirection.
What does the HTTP status code 200 generally signify?
Explanation: 200 means the request has succeeded and the server has returned the response as expected. It doesn't mean the server is under maintenance, which isn't represented by a 2xx status, nor does it relate to unauthorized access or resource conflict.
For discovering which HTTP methods are supported by a server for a specific resource, which HTTP method would you use?
Explanation: OPTIONS allows clients to find out which HTTP methods are allowed on a resource. PATCH is for partial updates, COPY is not a standard HTTP method, and GET retrieves resource data rather than method availability.
Which range of HTTP status codes denotes errors caused by the client?
Explanation: 400–499 status codes indicate client-side errors, like 'Bad Request' or 'Not Found'. The 100–199 group is informational, 200–299 means success, and 500–599 covers server-side errors. Only 400–499 specifically addresses client mistakes.
Which HTTP method retrieves only the headers and not the body of a resource, helping clients check metadata before downloading?
Explanation: HEAD returns headers only, useful for checking resource information without downloading the entire content. TRACE is for diagnostic loops, OPTIONS checks method support, and GET retrieves full data including the body.