301 and 302 redirects in Rest API

Introduction

Redirects help send users or browsers from one web address to another automatically. 301 means the move is permanent, and 302 means it is temporary.

You change the URL of a webpage and want visitors to find the new page.

You want to send users temporarily to a different page while fixing the original one.

You want to guide search engines to update their records for your website.

You want to shorten a long URL to a simpler one.

You want to redirect users from an old domain to a new domain.

Syntax

Rest API

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

HTTP/1.1 302 Found
Location: https://temporary-url.com

The Location header tells the browser where to go next.

301 means permanent redirect, 302 means temporary redirect.

Examples

This tells the browser the page has moved permanently to the new URL.

Rest API

HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently
Location: https://example.com/newpage

This tells the browser to go to a temporary page for now.

Rest API

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

Sample Program

This simple Python server sends a 301 redirect when you visit /oldpage and a 302 redirect when you visit /temp. Other paths show a welcome message.

Rest API

from http.server import BaseHTTPRequestHandler, HTTPServer

class RedirectHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
    def do_GET(self):
        if self.path == '/oldpage':
            self.send_response(301)
            self.send_header('Location', 'https://example.com/newpage')
            self.end_headers()
        elif self.path == '/temp':
            self.send_response(302)
            self.send_header('Location', 'https://example.com/temporarypage')
            self.end_headers()
        else:
            self.send_response(200)
            self.end_headers()
            self.wfile.write(b'Welcome to the server!')

if __name__ == '__main__':
    server = HTTPServer(('localhost', 8000), RedirectHandler)
    print('Server running on http://localhost:8000')
    server.serve_forever()

Important Notes

Browsers cache 301 redirects, so changes may not show immediately.

Use 301 for permanent moves to help search engines update links.

Use 302 when you want to redirect temporarily without changing the original URL in search engines.

Summary

301 redirect means the page has moved permanently.

302 redirect means the page is temporarily moved.

Redirects help users and search engines find the right page automatically.

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