HTTP 402 Payment Required

Overview

The HTTP 402 Payment Required status code is reserved for future use. Originally envisioned as a mechanism for digital cash or micropayment schemes, it has not been widely used and is typically reserved for future implementations.

Purpose

The HTTP 402 response was intended to be used in situations where payment is required to access a resource or service. However, its exact usage and implementation are not defined in current HTTP standards.

Usage

Client Behavior:

1. Send Request: The client sends an HTTP request to a server.
2. Receive Response: The client receives the HTTP 402 status code, theoretically indicating that payment is required.

Server Behavior:

1. Request Payment: The server would theoretically require payment for access to a resource or service.
2. Send Response: The server sends a 402 Payment Required response (not currently implemented).

Scenarios

• Future Payment Systems: Reserved for future use, potentially in online payment systems.
• Micropayment Schemes: Might be used in digital cash or micropayment implementations.

Sequence Diagram

Illustrating the theoretical process for an HTTP 402 response:

sequenceDiagram
    participant Client
    participant Server as Web Server

    Note over Client: Client requests a resource (theoretical context)
    Client->>Server: GET /paid-resource HTTP/1.1
    Note over Server: Server requires payment (not implemented)
    Server->>Client: HTTP/1.1 402 Payment Required

Curl Request and Response Example

Sending a theoretical request using Curl that might lead to a 402 response:

curl -i http://example.com/paid-resource
# Theoretical response: HTTP/1.1 402 Payment Required (not implemented)

PHP cURL Request and Response Example

PHP script using cURL to handle a theoretical 402 Payment Required response:

<?php
$ch = curl_init('http://example.com/paid-resource');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
if (curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE) == 402) {
    echo "Payment required to access the resource (theoretical, not implemented).";
}
curl_close($ch);
?>

Python Request and Response Example

Python script to send a GET request and handle a theoretical 402 Payment Required response:

import requests
response = requests.get('http://example.com/paid-resource')
if response.status_code == 402:
    print("Payment required to access the resource (theoretical, not implemented)")

Apache Configuration for HTTP 402 Payment Required

Configuring Apache to theoretically respond with a 402 Payment Required status (not implemented):

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerName example.com
    # Theoretical configuration for 402 Payment Required
    # ...
</VirtualHost>

NGINX Configuration for HTTP 402 Payment Required

Setting up NGINX to theoretically handle a 402 Payment Required response (not implemented):

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name example.com;
    location /paid-resource {
        # Theoretical configuration for 402 Payment Required
        # ...
    }
}

HTTP 401 Unauthorized HTTP 403 Forbidden