Redirection

Redirection is the act of directing something to a different target than the original. It involves changing the flow of requests, data, or attention from one place to another and is used across technology, communication, and everyday practice.

In computing and the web, redirection forwards a request for a resource to a different URL. HTTP redirection uses status codes in the 3xx range, such as 301 Moved Permanently and 302 Found, or alternative mechanisms like meta refresh and JavaScript. Permanent redirects tell clients and caches to update references, while temporary redirects preserve the original URL. Redirection is common during site migrations, URL restructuring, or load balancing, but misconfigurations can affect accessibility and search ranking.

Configuration and server software provide means to implement redirects, including dedicated redirect directives and URL rewriting rules. Client-side redirects occur when a script or user action causes navigation to another location. Proper use minimizes user disruption and preserves link equity in web contexts.

In computing terminals and shells, redirection describes directing input and output streams to and from files or devices. Common operators include > to write standard output, < to read standard input, 2> to redirect standard error, and >> to append. Redirection enables interprogram communication and flexible data processing without changing program behavior.

In linguistics and discourse, redirection can refer to shifting reference from one subject to another or steering a conversation toward an alternative topic or outcome. The term also appears in control structures and instructional design to describe redirecting attention or flow within a process.