I'm fairly new to Linux and Bash—only a month in—so please bear with me. I've been trying to understand why I should use commands like wget or curl to download files from the internet when I have to first go to the website's download page to copy the actual link. If I'm already on that page, why not just click the bright download button instead?
I've attempted to use wget before, but often I find myself having to navigate to the download link only to copy it back to the terminal to run the command. Is there some way in which wget or curl can be more efficient in searching for files or automatically handling the download in a safer manner? I understand the security aspect—like verifying through GPG keys—but it seems that can't be the only advantage. I'm sure I'm missing something here, and I'd love some clarification. Thanks!
5 Answers
In the end, while casual users might not benefit much from these commands, they're invaluable for scripting, automating tasks, or when you're working on systems without a GUI. It's about streamlining your workflow where possible!
Another reason to prefer wget or curl is the ability to resume interrupted downloads. If your connection drops (which can happen surprisingly often), you can pick up where you left off without starting from scratch. I've used wget for larger files under flaky internet conditions, and it saved me a lot of hassle.
True, but many browsers have that feature too, right?
Using wget or curl makes a lot of sense when you need to download a file into a system that doesn’t have a desktop environment—like when you’re working over SSH. This way, you can easily pull files directly onto the server without needing to use graphical tools.
But do you often have URLs saved somewhere? Seems like that's a bit cumbersome!
It's especially handy if you have tasks that involve downloading files repetitively on multiple machines. Think about scheduled scripts that fetch updated reports daily or whatever you need. Automating those tasks saves tons of time and effort!
Using wget or curl is really useful in situations where you're managing remote systems via SSH or you're working on scripts. For example, if you're automating tasks that require downloading files from a server, these commands can be a significant time-saver since you can run them without needing to switch back and forth between a browser and the terminal. Plus, it's easier to just copy and paste a command than to search for the correct download link each time.
Exactly! If you’re using scripts to download essential files for operations, it makes everything smoother.
So it's more about practical work scenarios rather than casual personal use? Got it, thanks!
Thanks for explaining! It feels much clearer now.