cURL

cURL is a command-line tool and library for transferring data with URLs, supporting a wide range of protocols including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and SFTP. It is widely used for testing APIs, downloading files, and automating web interactions from scripts or the terminal. The tool is known for its versatility, cross-platform availability, and extensive options for customizing requests.

Also known as: curl, libcurl, cURL command, curl tool, client URL

Why learn cURL?

Developers should learn cURL for debugging and testing web APIs, as it allows quick, scriptable HTTP requests without a GUI, making it ideal for CI/CD pipelines and server environments. It's essential for tasks like checking server responses, automating data transfers, or integrating with shell scripts where lightweight, reliable URL handling is needed.

Learning Resources

• docs: cURL Official Documentation
• book: Everything curl - Free Book
• video: cURL Tutorial for Beginners (YouTube)
• tutorial: Using cURL to Interact with APIs (DigitalOcean Tutorial)
• course: cURL Course on freeCodeCamp