Understanding HTTP Status Codes and HTTP Request Methods for APIs and API Testing

In the realm of APIs and API testing, understanding HTTP status codes and request methods is crucial for both developing and testing APIs effectively. These elements form the backbone of the communication between clients (such as browsers or applications) and servers. Here’s a detailed guide to help you navigate the basics and apply them in API testing.

1. HTTP Status Codes

HTTP status codes provide insights into the results of the requests made by clients to a server. They are organized into five classes, each indicating a different outcome. Here’s a breakdown:

Informational (1xx)

These codes provide an informational response and are rarely used in API responses:

• 100 Continue: Indicates that part of the request has been received and the client should continue with the request.
• 101 Switching Protocols: Indicates that the server is switching to a different protocol as requested by the client.

Successful (2xx)

These codes indicate that the request was successfully processed:

• 200 OK: The request was successful, and the server returned the requested data.