← Bitkernel Interview Insights

Bitkernel·Software Engineer·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

Intermediate
Apr 2026

Summary

Interviewed for a Software Engineer role at Bitkernel and got hit with a networking fundamentals question about HTTP status codes. Pretty standard stuff but easy to slip up on if you half-remember the 4xx vs 5xx distinction.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Which of the following statements about HTTP status codes is incorrect? Options cover what 100, 2xx, 301, and 4xx mean respectively.

API & IntegrationsTechnical Trade-offs
Author's notes

The answer is D.

Create a free account to read the full note

AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Read each option carefully and evaluate it against the standard HTTP status code classes. Identify the one that misstates the purpose of a code (e.g., claiming 100 is a final response or 301 is temporary). Eliminate correct statements first, then confirm the incorrect one with a concrete example.

Pro tip: Don't just say which is wrong—briefly explain why it's wrong and what the correct meaning is. This shows depth and turns a simple multiple-choice into a demonstration of your HTTP knowledge.

1. Recall status code classes

Quickly map each option to its class: 1xx (informational), 2xx (success), 3xx (redirection), 4xx (client error), 5xx (server error).

2. Evaluate each option

Check if the description matches the class and specific code. For example, 100 Continue is informational, not a final response; 301 is permanent redirect, not temporary.

3. Identify the incorrect statement

Spot the option that contradicts the standard definition. Common traps: confusing 301 with 302, or 4xx with 5xx.

4. Confirm with examples

Mentally verify with a known example: 200 OK, 301 Moved Permanently, 404 Not Found, etc., to ensure your choice is correct.

5. Explain your reasoning

State the incorrect option and clarify the correct meaning, showing you understand the underlying HTTP semantics.

Key Points to Mention

  • 1xx codes are informational and indicate a provisional response, not a final one.
  • 2xx codes indicate successful processing of the request (e.g., 200 OK, 201 Created).
  • 301 is a permanent redirect, while 302 is temporary; 301 should be used when a resource has moved permanently.
  • 4xx codes indicate client errors (e.g., 400 Bad Request, 404 Not Found), not server errors.
  • 5xx codes indicate server errors, which are not covered in the options but useful for contrast.
  • Understanding status code classes helps in API design and debugging integrations.

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.