The HTTP 204 No Content status code indicates that a request has been successfully processed, but the server does not have any content to return in the response body. This code signifies success without providing any data back to the client.
Key characteristics of HTTP 204 No Content:
- It confirms that the server successfully understood and fulfilled the client's request.
- The response body must be empty, and the server should not include a
Content-Lengthheader. - Upon receiving a 204, the client should generally consider the operation successful and continue without expecting to update its display or navigate away from the current page.
- It is commonly used for operations like:
- DELETE requests: When a resource is successfully deleted, and no further information is needed.
- PUT/PATCH requests: When a resource is successfully updated, and the client doesn't require a new representation of the resource in return.
- "Save and continue editing" functionality: In applications where data is saved in the background without interrupting the user's workflow.
- Health checks or ping endpoints: Where the server simply confirms its availability without sending back data.
- 204 responses are cacheable by default, and an
ETagheader is typically included.
