Introduction to 2xx Status Codes – When you visit a website, your browser sends a request to the server. The server responds with an HTTP status code. These codes tell whether the request was successful or not.
2xx status codes indicate successful requests. They mean the server received, understood, and processed the request correctly.
Common 2xx Status Codes
Here are the most common 2xx status codes you may encounter:
1. 200 OK
The 200 OK status code is the most common. It means the request was successful.
- Example: When a webpage loads correctly, the server sends a 200 OK response.
- Use Case: Successful GET, POST, or PUT requests.
2. 201 Created
The 201 Created status code means the request was successful, and a new resource was created.
- Example: When a user submits a form, and a new record is saved in a database.
- Use Case: Common in POST requests.
3. 202 Accepted
The 202 Accepted status code means the server accepted the request but hasn’t completed processing it yet.
- Example: A long-running task, like file processing, may return 202 Accepted before finishing.
- Use Case: Asynchronous operations.
4. 204 No Content
The 204 No Content status code means the request was successful, but there’s no data to return.
- Example: A DELETE request may return 204 No Content after removing a resource.
- Use Case: Actions that don’t require a response body.
Why Are 2xx Status Codes Important?
- User Experience: They confirm that actions (like form submissions) worked.
- SEO: Search engines prefer websites with proper HTTP responses.
- Debugging: Developers use them to troubleshoot issues.
How to Check 2xx Status Codes?
You can check HTTP status codes using:
- Browser Developer Tools (Network Tab)
- Online Tools (like HTTP Status Code Checkers)
- Command Line (using
curl -I [URL])
Common Questions About 2xx Status Codes
1. Is 200 OK the Only Successful Status Code?
No. While 200 OK is the most common, other 2xx status codes like 201 and 204 also indicate success.
2. Do 2xx Status Codes Affect SEO?
Yes. Proper status codes help search engines crawl and index pages efficiently.
3. Can a Website Have Multiple 2xx Codes?
Yes. Different actions (loading a page, submitting a form) may return different 2xx status codes.
Conclusion
2xx status codes confirm that a request was successful. They help users, developers, and search engines understand server responses. The most common ones are 200 OK, 201 Created, and 204 No Content.
Always ensure your website returns the correct HTTP status codes for better performance and user experience.