Example Usage

Using Curl on z/OS

Curl (Client URL) is a powerful command-line tool that allows you to transfer data to and from servers that use various protocols. It is a versatile utility with a wide range of applications, making it a valuable asset for developers, system administrators, and anyone who needs to interact with web servers.

Key features

Supported Protocols: Curl handles a multitude of protocols, including the most common ones like HTTP(S), FTP, SFTP, SCP, SMTP, IMAP, and POP3.

Data Transfer: Curl is capable of downloading files, uploading data, and interacting with web APIs.

Customizability: Curl offers extensive options for fine-tuning your requests. You can specify HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, and so on), set headers, send authentication credentials, manage cookies, and control progress output.

Scripting: Curl integrates well with scripting languages, allowing you to automate repetitive tasks and build powerful workflows.

Basic usage

The fundamental syntax of Curl is mentioned here.

curl [options] URL

options: These are specific flags that modify the behavior of Curl. There are numerous options available, allowing you to tailor Curl to your needs.

URL: This is the web address of the resource that you want to access (for example, a website, a file to download, or an API endpoint).

Common Examples

  • Downloading a file

    curl -L -o gitport.pax.Z  https://example.com/pathtogit.pax.Z

    This downloads the file pathtogit.pax.Z from https://example.com and saves it locally as gitport.pax.Z.

  • Getting a webpage

    curl https://www.wikipedia.org

    This retrieves the content of the Wikipedia website.

  • Posting data (for example, to an API)

    curl -X POST https://api.example.com/data -d "key1=value1&key2=value2"

    This sends a POST request to the specified API endpoint with the provided data in key-value pairs.

  • Learn more Curl boasts a rich command-line interface with many options and functions. Click here to delve deeper.