The 302 Found status code is a temporary redirection status code that informs the client that the requested resource has been temporarily moved to a new location, and the client should follow the provided URL to access the resource. This status code is often used when the server wants to redirect the client to a different URL without changing the original request method.
When to Use 302 Found
The 302 Found status code should be used when the server wants to redirect the client to a different URL for a temporary period of time. This is often the case when:
- The requested resource has been moved temporarily and will be available at the original URL in the future.
- The server wants to perform load balancing by redirecting the client to a different server.
- The server wants the client to authenticate before accessing the requested resource.
302 Found vs. 301 Moved Permanently
The primary difference between the 302 Found and 301 Moved Permanently status codes is the permanence of the redirection. While the 302 Found status code indicates a temporary redirection, the 301 Moved Permanently status code indicates that the requested resource has been permanently moved to a new location and will not be available at the original URL in the future.
Example
In this example, the client sends an HTTP GET request to the server to access a resource. The server responds with a 302 Found status code, indicating that the requested resource has been temporarily moved to a new location.
Request
GET /old-resource HTTP/1.1
Host: example.comResponse
HTTP/1.1 302 Found
Location: https://example.com/new-resourceIn this case, the client should follow the URL provided in the Location header to access the requested resource. Note that the client should continue using the same HTTP method (GET in this example) when following the redirection.
Handling 302 Found in Browsers
Most web browsers automatically follow the redirection provided by the 302 Found status code. However, some older browsers may not handle this status code correctly and may require the user to manually follow the provided URL. It is important to ensure that your web application handles the 302 Found status code properly to provide a seamless user experience.
Summary
The HTTP 302 Found status code is a temporary redirection status code that informs the client that the requested resource has been temporarily moved to a new location. The client should follow the provided URL to access the resource without changing the original request method. It is essential to use the 302 Found status code correctly and ensure that your web application handles it appropriately for a seamless user experience.
