Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP

HTTP 404 vs 400 for invalid query parameters

Here is my request URL:

http://server.com/app/user/getuser/?userId=9999

Note that userId is query parameter. Not embedded path parameter.

userId

I understand that if the request URL is: http://server.com/app/user/getuser/9999 and ID 9999 does not exist in database, 404 should be used.

BUT what HTTP status should be used for the case userId is query parameter? Right now I am returning 400 instead of 404.

userId

1 Answer
1

I would use 404 Not Found.

The RFC 7231 defines a 400 Bad Request response like this:

The 400 (Bad Request) status code indicates that the server cannot or will not process the request due to something that is perceived to be a client error (e.g., malformed request syntax, invalid request message framing, or deceptive request routing).

...since your request is valid and you are just trying to access a resource that does not exist, I think a 404 Not Found status is more adapted. RFC 7231 defines its meaning like this:

The 404 (Not Found) status code indicates that the origin server did not find a current representation for the target resource or is not willing to disclose that one exists.

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