301 and 302 redirects in Rest API - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the HTTP status code returned?

Consider this HTTP response header snippet from a REST API:

HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently
Location: https://example.com/new-location

What status code does this response return?

A 302

B 200

C 301

D 404

💡 Hint

Look at the first line of the HTTP response header.

The status code 301 means the resource has been moved permanently to a new URL.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What happens after a 302 redirect?

A client receives this HTTP response:

HTTP/1.1 302 Found
Location: https://example.com/temporary

What does the client do next?

A It permanently updates the URL and caches it.

B It ignores the Location header and stays on the original URL.

C It returns an error to the user.

D It follows the new URL temporarily without caching the redirect.

💡 Hint

Think about the difference between temporary and permanent redirects.

A 302 redirect tells the client to temporarily use the new URL but not to update bookmarks or cache the redirect.

🧠 Conceptual

advanced

Why choose 301 over 302 for SEO?

Which reason best explains why a website owner should use a 301 redirect instead of a 302 redirect when moving a page permanently?

A Because 301 redirects preserve search engine rankings by transferring link equity.

B Because 301 redirects are faster to process by browsers.

C Because 302 redirects cause the page to load twice.

D Because 302 redirects are only for images and media files.

💡 Hint

Think about how search engines treat permanent vs temporary redirects.

301 redirects tell search engines the page moved permanently and transfer ranking power to the new URL.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

What is the output of this redirect handling code?

Given this Python Flask code snippet handling redirects:

from flask import Flask, redirect
app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/old')
def old():
    return redirect('https://example.com/new', code=302)

with app.test_client() as client:
    response = client.get('/old')
    print(response.status_code, response.headers.get('Location'))

What is printed?

Rest API

from flask import Flask, redirect
app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/old')
def old():
    return redirect('https://example.com/new', code=302)

with app.test_client() as client:
    response = client.get('/old')
    print(response.status_code, response.headers.get('Location'))

A 404 /old

B 302 https://example.com/new

C 301 https://example.com/new

D 200 None

💡 Hint

Check the redirect code argument in the redirect function.

The redirect function is called with code=302, so the response status is 302 with the Location header set.

🔧 Debug

expert

Why does this redirect cause a loop?

Consider this pseudo-code for a REST API endpoint:

if request.path == '/start':
    return redirect('/middle', code=302)
elif request.path == '/middle':
    return redirect('/start', code=302)

What is the main reason this code causes an infinite redirect loop?

Rest API

if request.path == '/start':
    return redirect('/middle', code=302)
elif request.path == '/middle':
    return redirect('/start', code=302)

A Because '/start' redirects to '/middle' and '/middle' redirects back to '/start', causing endless redirects.

B Because 302 redirects are not supported for these paths.

C Because the redirect function is missing a status code.

D Because the server does not handle GET requests properly.

💡 Hint

Trace the redirects step-by-step.

The two endpoints redirect to each other, causing the client to bounce back and forth endlessly.

Practice

1. What does a 301 redirect indicate in a REST API?

easy

A. The resource has been deleted.

B. The resource is temporarily unavailable.

C. The resource has moved permanently to a new URL.

D. The resource requires authentication.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the meaning of 301 redirect

   A 301 redirect means the resource has moved permanently to a new location.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Other options describe different HTTP statuses, not 301 redirect.

3. Final Answer:

   The resource has moved permanently to a new URL. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   301 redirect = permanent move [OK]

Hint: 301 means permanent move, 302 means temporary move [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing 301 with 302 redirect
• Thinking 301 means resource deleted
• Assuming 301 is for authentication

2. Which HTTP status code is used for a temporary redirect?

easy

A. 301

B. 302

C. 404

D. 500

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify status codes for redirects

   302 is the standard status code for temporary redirects.

2. Step 2: Eliminate other codes

   301 is permanent redirect, 404 is not found, 500 is server error.

3. Final Answer:

   302 -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Temporary redirect = 302 [OK]

Hint: 302 means temporary redirect, not 301 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing 301 and 302 codes
• Choosing 404 or 500 by mistake
• Not knowing redirect codes

3. What will be the HTTP status code returned by this REST API snippet?

return Response(status=301, headers={'Location': 'https://newsite.com'})

medium

A. 301 Moved Permanently

B. 302 Found

C. 200 OK

D. 404 Not Found

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the status code in the response

   The code explicitly sets status=301, which means permanent redirect.

2. Step 2: Check the Location header

   The Location header points to the new URL, confirming redirect behavior.

3. Final Answer:

   301 Moved Permanently -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Status 301 with Location = permanent redirect [OK]

Hint: Status 301 with Location header means permanent redirect [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming 200 OK without checking status
• Confusing 301 with 302
• Ignoring Location header

4. Identify the error in this code snippet for a temporary redirect:

return Response(status=301, headers={'Location': 'https://temp.example.com'})

medium

A. Location header is missing.

B. Headers should not include Location.

C. Status code 301 is correct for temporary redirect.

D. Status code should be 302 for temporary redirect.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check status code for temporary redirect

   Temporary redirects require status code 302, not 301.

2. Step 2: Verify headers

   Location header is present and correct, so no error there.

3. Final Answer:

   Status code should be 302 for temporary redirect. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Temporary redirect = 302, not 301 [OK]

Hint: Use 302 status for temporary redirects, not 301 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 301 instead of 302 for temporary redirects
• Omitting Location header
• Misunderstanding redirect status codes

5. You want to permanently redirect old API endpoints to new ones but keep temporary redirects for beta features. Which status codes should you use for each case?

hard

A. 301 for old endpoints, 302 for beta features

B. 302 for old endpoints, 301 for beta features

C. 404 for old endpoints, 302 for beta features

D. 500 for old endpoints, 301 for beta features

Solution

1. Step 1: Determine redirect type for old endpoints

   Old endpoints moved permanently, so use 301 status code.

2. Step 2: Determine redirect type for beta features

   Beta features are temporary, so use 302 status code.

3. Final Answer:

   301 for old endpoints, 302 for beta features -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Permanent = 301, Temporary = 302 [OK]

Hint: Permanent redirect = 301, temporary redirect = 302 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping 301 and 302 codes
• Using error codes instead of redirects
• Not distinguishing permanent vs temporary