You may find yourself on the web and may end up seeing different status codes at work. The 304 status is one of the ones that you will probably never encounter as a user and it is a good thing. However, in contrast to error codes, which communicate an issue, a status code 304 is a success, behind-the-scenes message, that in reality makes your web experience smoother and more efficient.

What is a 304 Status Code?

A status of 304 (also known as Not Modified) is an HTTP status code, an official response of a web server. It does not imply that one of the pages is lost or that something is wrong. Rather it is the method by which the server informs your browser that no new version of the requested resource is available since the last time that you accessed it. It is an important component of the web caching mechanism of loading web pages faster and incurring less bandwidth.

How Does a 304 Status Code Work?

It works on the basis of your browser files as it is being cached and a tricky exchange of the handshake with the server.

• First Visit: The initial visit to a Web site causes the browser to download all the required files (such as pictures, CSS, and JavaScript) and caches them on the local drive.

• Follow-Up Visit: Next time you visit the same site, your browser requests the server whether those files that are stored in the cache are still valid.

• Response 304: On a condition where there is no change in the content, the server provides a response with status code 304. This informs your browser that it is safe to use the local, cached versions in lieu of downloading the same files again.

Is a 304 Status Code a Problem?

In short, no. This status is an indication of an optimized site and an effective browser.

• To Users: Faster loading time and reduced use of data.

• To Website Owners: It means that there is appropriate caching, and the load on servers is decreased.

Although 304 status code assists in the efficient transfer of data on the internet, it is also important to provide security to your important files on-offline. To that end, rely on Datarecovee, the reliable brand and the most efficient data recovery software and service company in recovery of data, email recovery, database backup recovery, as well as conversion.