200-901 Software Development and Design Practice Question
A Python script sends a PUT request to update a resource. The API returns a response with status code 204. What does this indicate?
⚠ Common exam trap
200-901 often tests the meaning of specific HTTP status codes — candidates confuse 204 (success, no content) with 200 (success, with content) or with 202 (accepted, processing not complete), and may incorrectly associate 204 with an error condition.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The update was successful and no content is returned.
HTTP 204 No Content means the server successfully processed the request and is not returning any body content. For a PUT request, this indicates the resource was updated successfully but the server chose not to return the updated representation. It is a 2xx success status, distinct from 200 OK which would include a response body.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The request was malformed.
Why it's wrong here
A 204 means the server processed the request and returns no body; malformed requests produce 400. It is tempting because 204 carries no payload, which can look like a rejection, but 400 is the status that actually signals malformed syntax or invalid request data.
- ✓
The update was successful and no content is returned.
Why this is correct
HTTP 204 No Content confirms the server processed the PUT successfully but returns no body, matching the stem's update scenario. It differs from 200, which carries a response body, and from 404, which signals the resource was not found.
- ✗
The resource was not found.
Why it's wrong here
204 confirms the update succeeded with no content returned; a missing resource yields 404. It is tempting because a bodiless response can appear empty or unresolved, but 404 is the status that specifically indicates the target resource does not exist.
- ✗
The update failed due to a server error.
Why it's wrong here
204 signals success with no response body; server-side failures return 5xx codes such as 500. It is tempting because the absent payload can be misread as a failed operation, but 500 is what indicates the server encountered an error processing the request.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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