sendError

[Shubh Bhat]

Q:
The sendError method defined in the HttpServlet class is equivalent to invoking the setStatus method with the following parameter. Select the one correct answer.
1. SC_OK
2. SC_MOVED_TEMPORARILY
3. SC_NOT_FOUND
4. SC_INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR
5. ESC_BAD_REQUEST
why should the answer for the above question be 3. and not 4?
Thanks in advance.

[Faisal Khan]

If I'm not mistaken, that question is actually incorrect as there is no sendError or setStatus in HttpServlet class, they are in HttpServletResponse class.
Other than that, I am not sure about the answer. Had a look at the API but could not figure out.

[Faisal Khan]

OK, I got it now. If you read the HttpServletResponse Interface API, here is what it says for setStatus method:

Sets the status code for this response. This method is used to set the return status code when there is no error (for example, for the status codes SC_OK or SC_MOVED_TEMPORARILY). If there is an error, and the caller wishes to invoke an defined in the web applicaion, the sendError method should be used instead.

That would explain why the SC_INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR is not the correct answer.

[Shubh Bhat]

I don't get it at all! Can anyone explain?