How to Find and Use the curl Command in Linux: A Comprehensive Guide

If you work with Linux, you may have come across the curl command. It’s a powerful tool used to automate downloading and uploading data from a server. Curious about how it works and what you can do with it? Keep reading.

What is the curl command?

Curl is an open-source command-line utility used to transfer data to and from servers. It supports various protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, SFTP, and FTP. It’s an essential tool for many developers, as it provides features such as bandwidth limiting, proxy support, user authentication, and more.

How to Install curl on Linux

In most Linux distributions, curl comes pre-installed. However, if you’re running a Linux version without curl or want an updated version, you can install it with these commands:

  • Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt install curl
  • RHEL-based (CentOS/Fedora): sudo yum install curl
  • Arch Linux: sudo pacman -S curl

How to Use the curl Command

The curl command follows a simple syntax:

curl [options] url

Here are some useful examples of curl commands:

Download a file using curl

You can download a file from a specific URL with curl using the -O flag. For example:

curl -O https://example.com/file.zip

Resume an interrupted download using curl

If a download is interrupted, you can use the -C - flag to resume it with curl. For example:

curl -C -O https://example.com/file.zip

Download multiple files using curl

To download multiple files simultaneously via curl, you can use the -O flag multiple times in the same command. For example:

curl -O https://example.com/file1.zip -O https://example.com/file2.zip

Get the HTTP headers of a web page

You can request the HTTP headers of a URL with the -I (uppercase i, not L) and --http2 flags. For example:

curl -I --http2 https://example.com

Limit transfer rate with curl

You can limit the transfer rate of your downloads with the --limit-rate flag followed by a modifier for kilobytes, megabytes, or gigabytes. For example:

curl --limit-rate 1m -O https://example.com/file.zip

Transfer files via FTP with curl

You can transfer files using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) with curl by connecting to an FTP server and downloading or uploading files. Here are some example commands:

Connect to an FTP server:

curl -u username:password ftp://ftp.example.com/

Download a file from the FTP server:

curl -u username:password -O ftp://ftp.example.com/file.zip

Upload a file to the FTP server:

curl -T newfile.zip -u username:password ftp://ftp.example.com/

FAQs

1. What is curl?

Curl is a command-line utility used to transfer data to and from servers. It supports various protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, SFTP, and FTP, and provides features like bandwidth limiting, proxy support, user authentication, and more.

2. How do I install curl on Linux?

Curl comes pre-installed on most Linux distributions, but you can install it with the appropriate package manager if it’s not already installed. For example, on Ubuntu or Debian, you can run sudo apt install curl.

Final Thoughts

In summary, curl is a powerful command-line utility with various use-cases for downloading and uploading data from servers. With this guide, you should now have a better understanding of how to find and use the curl command in Linux.

James Hogan
James Hogan
James Hogan is a notable content writer recognized for his contributions to Bollyinside, where he excels in crafting informative comparison-based articles on topics like laptops, phones, and software. When he's not writing, James enjoys immersing himself in football matches and exploring the digital realm. His curiosity about the ever-evolving tech landscape drives his continuous quest for knowledge, ensuring his content remains fresh and relevant.

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