OkHttp interceptors in Android Kotlin - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is an OkHttp interceptor?

An OkHttp interceptor is a component that can observe, modify, and retry HTTP requests and responses in an OkHttp client.

beginner

Name the two main types of OkHttp interceptors.

The two main types are Application Interceptors and Network Interceptors. Application interceptors work before the request is sent and after the response is received. Network interceptors work at the network level, just before the request is sent to the network and just after the response is received from the network.

beginner

How do you add an interceptor to an OkHttpClient in Kotlin?

You add an interceptor by calling addInterceptor() or addNetworkInterceptor() on the OkHttpClient.Builder before building the client.

beginner

What is a common use case for an OkHttp interceptor?

Common uses include adding headers like authentication tokens, logging request and response data, retrying requests, and modifying requests or responses.

intermediate

What is the difference between proceed(request) and modifying the request inside an interceptor?

proceed(request) sends the request to the next interceptor or network. You can modify the request before calling proceed() to change headers or body.

Which method do you override to create a custom OkHttp interceptor?

A intercept(chain: Interceptor.Chain)

B onRequest()

C handleRequest()

D execute()

You override the intercept(chain: Interceptor.Chain) method to define how the interceptor processes requests and responses.

Where does a network interceptor operate in the request lifecycle?

A Only on cached responses

B Before the request is sent to the network

C After the response is received from the network

D Only on failed requests

Network interceptors operate just before the request is sent to the network and can also observe the raw response.

Which OkHttpClient builder method adds an application interceptor?

A addInterceptor()

B addNetworkInterceptor()

C setInterceptor()

D useInterceptor()

addInterceptor() adds an application interceptor that works on all requests and responses.

What happens if you don’t call proceed(request) inside an interceptor?

A The request is retried

B The request is sent anyway

C The interceptor throws an exception automatically

D The request chain stops and no network call is made

Not calling proceed(request) stops the chain, so the request does not continue to the next interceptor or network.

Which of these is NOT a typical use of an OkHttp interceptor?

A Adding authentication headers

B Logging request and response data

C Changing the app theme colors

D Retrying failed requests

Changing app theme colors is unrelated to network requests and not done by interceptors.

Explain how OkHttp interceptors can help add authentication tokens to every request.

Think about how you can change the request before it goes out.

Describe the difference between application interceptors and network interceptors in OkHttp.

Consider when each interceptor sees the request and response.