Response codes

HTTP 1.1 defines a large number of response codes. Choosing the right response code for a response is important as it can help in creating a usable application by providing the information a client (user agent) can use to its advantage. For instance, based on the response code, a client may choose not to cache a certain resource.

303 See other

The 303 See other is an important response. By using it correctly one can simplify a web application considerably. The response redirects the client to another resource. This should be done if the requested resource is only a short cut to another resource. Ideally one resource is identified by only one URI. Only a request to this URI should result in a response with that resource, otherwise 303 should be used.

For instance, usually a web site, like this one, can be reached by its domain name.

GET http://www.chartasoftware.com/ HTTP/1.1

However, often this URI is just a short cut to a resource that is uniquely identified by another URI for which the correct request should be different:

GET http://www.chartasoftware.com/Article/1 HTTP/1.1

All response codes