Diving into the Abyss: Unraveling the Secrets of HTTP Status Codes Underwater

Happy place of 2xx

‍

As I descended into the deep blue, I was greeted by an incredible array of colorful corals and marine life. It was like the underwater world was giving me a high-five, saying, "All good, mate!" I felt a rush of excitement and relief, knowing that my journey had started off smoothly. HTTP 200 OK defined in RFC 7231

‍As I ventured further, I stumbled upon an unexplored cave system with mysterious passageways leading into the depths. It was as if the ocean had just created this hidden wonderland exclusively for me to explore. My heart pounded with excitement, knowing that I was the first to dive into this uncharted territory, as if it was just created. HTTP 201 Created defined in RFC 7231

However, as I swam deeper into the cave, I found a chamber that was surprisingly empty. No flashy corals or curious fish; it was like the underwater world was playing a game of hide-and-seek. I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed, hoping for more treasures in this particular part of the ocean, but it was clear from all the signs that there really hadn't been any corals or life in this cave for a while. HTTP 204 No Content defined in RFC 7231

My bad - 4xx behind every turn

Undeterred by the temporary setback, I decided to explore another cave that looked promising. But my overconfidence got the best of me, and I took a wrong turn, ending up in a dead-end. It felt like the underwater world was saying, "Uh-oh, wrong way, buddy!" I had to backtrack and find a new way to continue my journey. HTTP 400 Bad Request defined in RFC 7231

As I continued my quest, I spotted a magnificent shipwreck resting on the ocean floor, tempting me to get a closer look. However, a group of territorial fish swam around, guarding the wreck like fierce bouncers. It was like the underwater world had set up a VIP area, and I didn't have the special pass to enter. I felt like I needed an exclusive invitation to explore that shipwreck. HTTP 401 Unauthorized defined in RFC 7235

‍Not willing to give up, I swam ahead and discovered an alluring underwater cave with an aura of mystery. As I approached the entrance, an invisible force seemed to halt my progress, like a massive "Keep Out" sign hanging over the cave. While I had the authorization to go diving in the wide ocean, this part of the underwater world had forbidden me from entering this enigmatic place, leaving me feeling both curious and frustrated. HTTP 403 Forbidden defined in RFC 7231

Despite encountering some challenges, I remained determined to uncover more hidden wonders. However, after swimming far and wide, I stumbled upon a barren expanse of ocean, void of any remarkable sights. It was like the underwater world was playing a prank on me, making me feel like I was searching for something that didn't exist and shouldn't have been in the map in the first place. HTTP 404 Not Found defined in RFC 7231

‍

A glitch caused by ocean - not my 5xx fault

‍

My adventurous spirit drove me to keep exploring, but at times, my scuba gear malfunctioned, causing moments of confusion and uncertainty. It was like encountering a glitch in the underwater matrix, where the ocean's internal server had a momentary hiccup. Despite the minor setbacks, I remained determined to make the most of my extraordinary scuba diving experience. HTTP 500 Internal Server Error defined in RFC 7231

‍

In the end, my scuba diving adventure mirrored the vast array of experiences represented by HTTP status codes. Just like the internet, the underwater world was full of surprises, challenges, and hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. No matter the obstacles I encountered, I cherished every moment of my underwater journey, knowing that the ocean held countless wonders and mysteries, much like the complexities of the digital realm.

Epilogue: Why is it important to use the right status code?

Because it’s like a contract that all your API consumers or other internet users and their tools and systems know (or should know) and implement in the same way. There are even more status codes than I explained here, but these listed are those most commonly used in RESTful and other APIs.

If everything in the internet suddenly stopped using HTTP status codes, chaos would ensue. Communication between servers and clients would break down, leaving users with a confusing and frustrating online experience. Websites and applications would struggle to handle errors and respond to requests properly, leading to frequent crashes and unresponsive interfaces. Without the structured guidance of HTTP status codes, troubleshooting technical issues would become significantly more challenging, making it difficult for developers and IT teams to identify and fix problems promptly. In short, the absence of HTTP status codes would bring the internet to a grinding halt, disrupting its functionality and leaving users and businesses in a state of confusion and disarray.

If you want to know more about APIs and HTTP status codes, here are some resources to guide you with our open APIOps Cycles method:

APIOps Cycles REST API design guide

APIOps Cycles API Audit Check List

Also check our API audit and other services if you want some second eyes or coaching on your APIs.