📝
208
Already Reported

Example HTTP Response

HTTP Response
HTTP/1.1 208 Already Reported
Content-Type: application/xml

<multistatus>...</multistatus>
Common Causes
  • WebDAV binding members already listed
  • Avoiding duplicate entries in multi-status response
  • Collection with multiple bindings
Technical Details

What does this mean?

Been there, done that! This resource was already mentioned earlier in the response. No need to repeat ourselves!

Technical Definition

Used inside a DAV: propstat response element to avoid enumerating the internal members of multiple bindings to the same collection repeatedly.

RFC Says

"The 208 (Already Reported) status code can be used inside a DAV:propstat response element to avoid enumerating the internal members of multiple bindings to the same collection repeatedly."

Plain English:

Used in WebDAV to avoid listing the same resource multiple times in a multi-status response. If a resource has already been reported in the response, 208 indicates 'we already covered this one.'

Code Snippets

Ready-to-use code for returning this HTTP status in your application:

Node.js
// Express.js
app.get('/example', (req, res) => {
  res.status(208).json({
    error: 'Already Reported',
    message: 'Your error message here'
  });
});

// Native HTTP
const http = require('http');

http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.writeHead(208, { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' });
  res.end(JSON.stringify({
    error: 'Already Reported',
    message: 'Your error message here'
  }));
}).listen(3000);