The history behind the Error 404. Why do we call Error 404 as "404"?
What is a 404 Page Not Found Error And How Can You Fix It?
What Is a 404 Error?
A 404 error number indicates that the requested page could not be located.
When a page loads in a browser, the HTTP header contains a response status code that is normally hidden from view.
Status codes are issued by a server in response to a client’s request made to the server. It includes codes from IETF Request for Comments (RFCs), other specifications, and some additional codes used in some common applications of the HTTP. The first digit of the status code specifies one of five standard classes of responses. The message phrases shown are typical, but any human-readable alternative may be provided. Unless otherwise stated, the status code is part of the HTTP/1.1 standard (RFC 7231).
— Wikipedia
In a simpler explanation, status codes are codes that help to fulfill a person’s request on the internet. However, status codes come in 5 classes(1xx, 2xx, 3xx, 4xx and 5xx) with different responses. These replies are categorized into five groups:
100–199 are informational responses
400–499 denote client errors
500–599 denote server errors
200–299 are successful responses
300–399 denote redirects
For example, 2xx was successful – the request was successfully received, understood, and accepted. 200 OK is the code for a normal webpage, only that we don’t see it because it was successful, and so what was requested was given — the page one requested. Status codes are only visible when errors emerge, like 404 and 500.
A 404 error (also known as an HTTP 404 or 404 code) is a form of client error. It signifies that the page the viewer is looking for isn’t available on the server.
Why do we call Error 404 as 404?
What is the story behind this name?
The history of HTTP status code “404"
Between 1981 and 1992, scientists at CERN, Switzerland, worked on the development of the World Wide Web and its components. They worked together in an office located on the fourth floor of the building — to create a database foundation that distributed/delivered data in different forms.
On the same fourth floor held the World Wide Web’s central database in a room numbered “404.” Their jobs were to respond to different requests by allocating files and transferring them across the web, but they did this manually. Sadly, they couldn’t respond to all requests sent over the web because many people failed to input the correct data, and rather sent the wrong file names.
Because the same problems kept occurring, the scientists actualized their ideas by forming a message for the people who sent requests with incorrect file names. The message is:
Room 404: file not found.
The message became popular in those days, and in 1992, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) introduced the use of HTTP status codes, which were already developed in 1990 together with the World Wide Web inventor named Tim Berners-Lee and a co-developer, Robert Cailliau.
The evolution of error 404
As the technology evolved, the web did too. Manual processes of the web became automated and the error status code: 404 Not Found still owned its place on the internet. The message became so popular that people began to use it to disapprove of jokes that weren’t funny. They also used 404 as a term for missing items ranging from stolen goods to keys and even to prison escapees.
Lots of people opened businesses where they sold shirts and other 404 merchandise to yield sales because of its popularity. It was used in books, comics, and memes, it was everywhere digital life was based. According to Eyerys, it’s like saying 404 as a universal way of showing emotionally pure disappointment, the announcement of an unanticipated problem. It’s also a reminder that technology, including the web, in particular, is created and populated by humans.
Till today, even if the 404 error message is used jokingly or seriously, nobody forgets that it's originally a dead-end page on the web. On a final note, the use of the 404 error message was inspired by a certain room 404.
What are the reasons for the 404 Error?
HTTP 404 Errors: Causes
As its name is “Error 404 Not Found” which means the file or page etc you can search or navigate is not available on that place (i.e which you enter or clicked). The main causes of these problems are:
Broken Links, which means the particular file or page etc is no longer available on that address. The owner of the website can shift or delete that file or page etc on that address. This may cause the “Error 404" situation. The broken links are also called dead links.
Server Not Respond, which means the connection between your computer and the server of the website is not established correctly. So, this may also cause an “Error 404" Problem.
Human Error, which means the user who wants to visit the website or open any particular file/page etc can write the address of that particular website, file or page etc incorrectly. So, this may also cause an “Error 404" problem and most of the time this error may occur due to this cause.
What to Do If You Get a 404 Page Not Found Error?
HTTP 404 Errors: Fixes
In the following ways you can fix this “Error 404" problem:
Clear Browser Cache, if your mobile phone browser shows “Error 404" and your tablet or computer browser cannot show this error. So, clear the cache of your browser because most of the time when you open that website incorrectly. So, your browser can save that page in its cache memory when you want to open that website again. So, it can show you that pages which are stored in cache memory.
Change DNS Server, if the entire website shows “Error 404" on your mobile phone, tablet or computer etc browser but when you surf that website on your friend's devices. So, that website doesn’t give “Error 404". So, change the “DNS Server” of your network by going into your network router settings. Because most of the time your ISP can block that website on your network due to some government issues.
Contact the Owner, if all of these techniques failed. So, contact the owner of the website and asked him/her about that problem. If he/she can remove that file or page etc. So, he/she can tell you and solve your problem.
On a final note, the use of the 404 error message was inspired by a certain room 404.
Thank you for reading!
Happy coding :)