CODEWITHSUNDEEP
httpproxyhttp-status-codes
Allain Lalonde
Allain Lalonde

Reputation: 93348

HTTP Response Question

Is it valid to return different text in the response header than the usual fare?

For example if the request is invalid, could I respond with:

HTTP/1.1 400 Here be Dragons

And have that header properly handled by proxies, etc?

Upvotes: 2

Views: 236

Answers (2)

Martin v. Löwis
Martin v. Löwis

Reputation: 127457

Yes, it conforms to the HTTP protocol to have arbitrary text on the response line. No, proxies aren't required to forward that as-is (but typically will).

Upvotes: 1

Avi Flax
Avi Flax

Reputation: 51819

The HTTP spec says:

The Status-Code is intended for use by automata and the Reason-Phrase is intended for the human user. The client is not required to examine or display the Reason-Phrase.

and:

The reason phrases listed here are only recommendations -- they MAY be replaced by local equivalents without affecting the protocol.

So yes, it's valid to use any text you'd like as the Reason-Phrase AKA "Status text" or "Status name".

Upvotes: 2

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