Time Complexity: 301 and 302 redirects
O(n)
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301 and 302 redirects in Rest API - Time & Space Complexity
Understanding Time Complexity
When a web server sends a 301 or 302 redirect, it tells the browser to go to a new address.
We want to understand how the time to handle these redirects grows as more redirects happen.
Scenario Under Consideration
Analyze the time complexity of handling chained redirects in a REST API.
GET /start
HTTP/1.1 302 Found
Location: /step1
GET /step1
HTTP/1.1 302 Found
Location: /step2
GET /step2
HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently
Location: /final
GET /final
HTTP/1.1 200 OK
This shows a client following a chain of redirects until reaching the final URL.
Identify Repeating Operations
Identify the loops, recursion, array traversals that repeat.
- Primary operation: Each redirect causes the client to make a new request.
- How many times: The number of redirects in the chain determines how many requests happen.
How Execution Grows With Input
Each additional redirect adds one more request and response cycle.
| Input Size (redirects) | Approx. Operations (requests) |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3 (2 redirects + 1 final request) |
| 5 | 6 (5 redirects + 1 final request) |
| 10 | 11 (10 redirects + 1 final request) |
Pattern observation: The total requests grow linearly with the number of redirects.
Final Time Complexity
Time Complexity: O(n)
This means the time to complete the redirect process grows directly with the number of redirects.
Common Mistake
[X] Wrong: "Redirects happen instantly and don't add time."
[OK] Correct: Each redirect requires a new request and response, adding time that adds up with more redirects.
Interview Connect
Understanding how redirects affect request time helps you design efficient APIs and troubleshoot slow responses.
Self-Check
"What if the client cached the redirect targets? How would that change the time complexity?"