What response code does a web server issue if a requested file does not exist?

What response code does a web server issue if a requested file does not exist?

• A. A response code of 200
• B. A response code of 400
• C. A response code of 404
• D. A response code of 500

Answer: (C)

A web server issues a response code of 404 when a requested file does not exist. This specific code is part of the HTTP status codes and indicates that the server was unable to find the requested resource. When a user attempts to access a file or page that isn't available on the server, the 404 code serves as a clear notification that the link is broken or the file has been moved or deleted. Using this response code is crucial for both user experience and website administration. It guides users to understand that the file they are looking for cannot be found, instead of simply returning a generic error or the content of the homepage. This response is part of a broader set of HTTP response codes that help convey the status of a request, thereby improving communication between users and web servers.

A web server issues a response code of 404 when a requested file does not exist. This specific code is part of the HTTP status codes and indicates that the server was unable to find the requested resource. When a user attempts to access a file or page that isn't available on the server, the 404 code serves as a clear notification that the link is broken or the file has been moved or deleted.

Using this response code is crucial for both user experience and website administration. It guides users to understand that the file they are looking for cannot be found, instead of simply returning a generic error or the content of the homepage. This response is part of a broader set of HTTP response codes that help convey the status of a request, thereby improving communication between users and web servers.