How to Use Basic UNIX Commands for cURL

The cURL system program can be used to get files or documents, as long as they are supported by certain protocols. The cURL command is designed to function even without user interaction. To use basic UNIX commands for cURL, follow the steps listed below.

Things You'll Need

• Computer

Instructions

1. Decide on the action you want to perform. This will dictate the commands you are going to need.

2. Look up the command to use for the chosen action. You can find several complete lists of commands online, in tutorials and on the official cURL Web site (see Resources below).

3. Become familiar with the most common commands. The most frequently used commands are for copying files, changing the working directory, altering file protection, clearing the terminal screen, deleting specific files and directories and copying the files from the first filename to the second one.

4. Learn more about the other commands, which can come in handy. These include standard input (stdin), standard output (stdout) and standard error (stderr0.

5. Ask for help regarding the other UNIX commands. Visit online forums to get help with UNIX command functions.

Tips & Warnings

• When inputting UNIX commands, you must specify filenames. For cURL, the program allows you to use certain wildcard characters like question marks, asterisks and square or curly brackets. This is convenient for new users.

• The basic commands of the UNIX for cURL are simpler to remember than commands for other program systems.