About 206 Partial Content
Overview of 206 Partial Content
Returning Partial Resourceswith an HTTP Status Code | ||
206 Partial Content Overview The 206 Partial Content status code is used when a server returns only a portion of a resource in response to a client request. It is primarily used for range requests with the |
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Meaning The client’s request was successful, and the specified range of content has been returned. |
When is 206 Partial Content Returned?
- When requesting a specific range of a resource using the
Range
header - When downloading large resources in segments
- When streaming services or media playback requires partial data
Examples of 206 Partial Content
Partial File Download
GET /large-file.zip HTTP/1.1 Host: example.com Range: bytes=0-1023
Response example:
HTTP/1.1 206 Partial Content Content-Range: bytes 0-1023/1048576 Content-Type: application/zip [binary data for the first 1024 bytes]
Explanation: This example shows a client sending a request with the Range
header, and the server returning the requested range of data (in this case, the first 1024 bytes). This method is effective for downloading large files in parts.
Streaming Video Playback
GET /video.mp4 HTTP/1.1 Host: example.com Range: bytes=1048576-2097151
Response example:
HTTP/1.1 206 Partial Content Content-Range: bytes 1048576-2097151/4194304 Content-Type: video/mp4 [binary data for the requested byte range]
Explanation: This example demonstrates a video player using the Range
header to request a specific range of data, with the server returning the requested portion of the video file. This mechanism facilitates smooth seeking operations.
Points to Note
Considerations when using the 206 Partial Content status code:
- Proper
Content-Range
Header Configuration
Ensure the response includes theContent-Range
header, specifying the range of data returned and the total size of the resource. - Validation of the Range
If the client requests an invalid range (e.g., a range exceeding the resource’s size), the server must return a416 Range Not Satisfiable
status code.
Comparison with Related HTTP Status Codes
Here is an explanation of status codes related to 206 Partial Content:
- 200 OK: Used when the request is successful, and the entire resource is returned.
- 416 Range Not Satisfiable: Returned when the client requests an invalid range.
Understanding these differences helps in using the 206 status code appropriately.