203 Non-Authoritative Information

What is 203 Status Code?

The 203 HTTP Status Error Code, also known as "Non-Authoritative Information," is a status code that the server sends to the client to indicate that the request was successful, but the information being sent back to the client has been modified by a transforming proxy from that of the origin server's response.

The term "non-authoritative" means that the information in the response payload is not the definitive response from the original server, but a transformed version of it. This transformation is typically done by a proxy server that may modify the response for various reasons, such as to convert images to a different format, compress data, or add additional headers or information to the response.

When is the 203 Status Code Used?

The 203 status code is used when a server acting as a proxy has successfully processed the client's request and the response is returned successfully, but the information may have been altered from the original response from the upstream server. It is important to note that the 203 status code is part of the HTTP/1.1 standard, and not all HTTP clients understand or can handle this status code.

Causes of a 203 HTTP Status Error Code

The 203 HTTP Status Error Code is triggered when a proxy server modifies the response from the original server. Below are examples of when a 203 status code might be returned.

1. Image Format Transformation

A proxy server might convert image formats to reduce file sizes.

Client Request:

GET /image.png HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com

‍Server Response:

HTTP/1.1 203 Non-Authoritative Information
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2023 12:45:26 GMT
Content-Type: image/jpeg
Content-Length: 34567
(binary image data)

In this example, the client requests an image in PNG format, but the proxy server converts it to JPEG format to reduce the file size, returning a 203 status code to indicate the transformation.

2. Data Compression

A proxy server might compress data to improve loading times.

Client Request:

GET /data HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com

Proxy Server Response:

HTTP/1.1 203 Non-Authoritative Information
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2023 12:45:26 GMT
Content-Encoding: gzip
Content-Length: 1234
(binary compressed data)

Here, the proxy server compresses the data and adds a `Content-Encoding: gzip` header to the response, along with a 203 status code to signal the modification.

Handling the 203 HTTP Status Error Code

Effectively managing the 203 HTTP Status Error Code involves understanding its implications and knowing how to respond. Below are steps and tips for handling this status code.

Steps to Take When a 203 Status Code is Encountered:

1. Review the Response:

Examine the response headers and body to understand the modifications made by the proxy server.

Example:

HTTP/1.1 203 Non-Authoritative Information
Content-Type: image/jpeg

2. Check the Documentation:

Refer to the documentation of the proxy server to understand the types of transformations it may perform.

3. Adjust Client Handling:

Ensure your client application can handle the 203 status code and the transformed data correctly.

Example in Python:

import requests
response = requests.get('http://example.com/image.png')
if response.status_code == 203:
handle_transformed_data(response)

Potential Solutions and Troubleshooting Tips:

1. Update Client Code:

Modify your client application to handle the 203 status code and process the transformed data accordingly.

2. Contact the Server Administrator:

If the transformation is causing issues, reach out to the server or proxy administrator for assistance.

3. Consider Alternative Resources:

If possible, access the resource directly or use an alternative that does not involve transformation by a proxy server.

If you're still facing issues with the HTTP 203 Non-Authoritative Information after following the above-mentioned steps, reach out to us! We will help with fixing this issue!