What does an HTTP status code of 404 signify?

An HTTP status code of 404 signifies "Not Found." This code is returned when the server cannot find the requested resource. Essentially, it indicates that the user has requested a URL that does not exist on the server. This could happen for a variety of reasons, such as a mistyped URL, a broken link, or the resource having been moved or deleted.

In web development and API contexts, understanding the meaning of a 404 status code is crucial for diagnosing problems with resource access and improving user experience by allowing developers to handle these errors gracefully, such as by displaying a custom "Page Not Found" message.

Other status codes have their specific meanings: a success status indicates that a request has been fulfilled, an unauthorized access status indicates lack of proper credentials, and a server-side error code signals an issue on the server itself. Each status code provides important feedback for both users and developers regarding the status of web requests and resources.