When referring to downloading files, the first thing we can think of is the web browser. This is true up to a point. Because in the terminal we also have many options for downloading.

The Linux Terminal is a powerful tool so much so that it is the main working support for many servers. Therefore, the terminal is fast, secure, and efficient.

So, let’s talk about those tools.

Terminal Tools for Downloading Files

Several tools allow a download without major problems, but we will name the most familiar and easy to use.

1.- The great wget

GNU wget is a CLI (command-line interface) utility that allows you to download files from the internet if you know its link. It is very efficient in the management of computer resources because it is practically unnoticeable its use. In addition, this allows you to rename the downloaded files quickly.

On the other hand, although it is a program that is used in the terminal, it is quite complete. Here is a list of the main features of the application:

• Wget supports downloads through proxies
• IPv6 is fully supported by wget.
• It allows limiting the bandwidth used for downloads.
• Wget works with SSL/TSL to secure downloads.

But Wget has many configurations and work options. So many that we made a post about it:

The Wget Command

There you can learn even more about Wget and above all how to use it.

2.- cURL

Another veteran of our site is cURL.

CURL is a command line tool and library for transferring data with URLs. Many download scripts or file transfers use CURL as a means to achieve this. In addition, CURL supports FTP, FTPS, Gopher, HTTP, HTTPS, IMAP, IMAPS, LDAP and many other protocols quite popular on networks.

On the other hand, the use of CURL is not limited exclusively to computers but to other devices that use UNIX such as cell phones, cars and is the transfer backend of many of the most popular applications in the world.

Say that cURL is even more advanced than Wget but you also have other additional features.

So, if you want to learn more about it, check our post:

How to use CURL command on Linux?

3.- Terminal Tools for Downloading Files used on Scripts

It is also possible to find other tools that are in the main repositories of most Linux distributions. We are talking about tools like rsync or scp.

Rsync, remote synchronize is known as a remote synchronization function of the software, it synchronizes files at the same time, can maintain the original file permissions, time, hard and soft links and other additional information. it is a “sync algorithm” that provides a quick way to synchronize files between clients and remote file servers, and can also be transferred via SSH, which is also very confidential, supports breakpoint continuation, data can be pushed or pulled, and is free of chargeS.

Rsync advantages：

• Ability to update entire directories and trees and file systems;
• Selectively maintain symbolic links, hard links, file ownership, permissions, devices, and time for folders and files;
• For installation, there are no special permission requirements;
• For multiple files, the internal pipeline reduces the file wait delay;
• Can use RSH, SSH or direct port as the transfer port;
• Support anonymous Rsync synchronization files are the ideal mirror tool;

You can read:

Synchronous data Using rsync Command in Linux

Although it is true that with Rsync we do not make a download itself, it can help us to copy and synchronize files from a server. What in practice can be considered a download.

On the other hand, scp is a variation of the cp command that allows you to copy files over a network. As with Rsync it is not a download but in practice it allows us to do it. Especially when we have access to certain files from a given server.

Conclusion

The terminal is a marvel in Linux and so much so that you can download files from the internet or a network using commands. This is useful on servers or computers with ssh connections.

The post Terminal Tools for Downloading Files appeared first on Linux Windows and android Tutorials.

GNU wget is a CLI (command-line interface) utility that allows you to download files from the internet if you know its link. It is very efficient in the management of computer resources because it is practically unnoticeable its use. In addition, this allows you to rename the downloaded files quickly.

On the other hand, although it is a program that is used in the terminal, it is quite complete. Here is a list of the main features of the application:

• Wget supports downloads through proxies
• IPv6 is fully supported by wget.
• It allows limiting the bandwidth used for downloads.
• Wget works with SSL/TSL to secure downloads.

Finally, wget is available for many UNIX systems but also for Windows. And obviously being developed by GNU, we are talking about an open-source application.

Using the Wget Command

Now we will explain its basic use. Certainly, wget is very simple to use. The first thing we need to know is that almost all Linux distributions have it installed by default. But if not, just invoke the package manager of your distribution and install it. I assure you that it will be in the official repositories.

The most basic way to use the command is as follows:

:~$ wget [file_link]

This will download the file in the directory where we are.

A huge advantage of wget is that we will be able to download multiple files whose links are in a text file. For example:

:~$ nano files.txt

https://osradar.com/file1.zip

https://osradar.com/file2.tar

https://osradar.com/file3.mp3

And to make wget able to download them all simultaneously just add the option -i and indicate the path of the text file with the links. If the file is in the same directory just put the name.

:~$ wget -i [text_file_path]

More options to use the Wget command

The option -c it is quite useful. If for any reason the download is interrupted we will be able to restart it in the size where it has remained. For example, if we download a 100Mb file and when we had 80Mb downloaded the download is interrupted, we don’t have to download everything again just run the command again.

:~$ wget -c [Link]

As I said before, wget can limit bandwidth usage. We define this with the –limit-rate option and assign it a value. For example:

:~$ wget --limit-rate=700K [link]

With this, the download will not exceed 700K.

If the download requires a password and a user name, we can also specify it:

:~$ wget --http-user=[user] --http-password=[password] http://osradar.com/hello.mp4

Obviously hello.mp4 is an example. There you have to put the link of the file.

By default wget makes 20 attempts to establish the connection and start downloading. If your internet connection is bad, you can increase that number with the -t option.

:~$ wget -t 60 [link]

Wget also allows download via FTP with the same syntax as above. If you need a password and user, you can specify it as follows:

:~$ wget --ftp-user=[user] --ftp-password=[password] ftp://osradar.com/example.tar

Finally it is possible that wget works in the background. For this there is the option -b.

:~$ wget -b [link]

It is useful to download big files. It should be noted that all the options mentioned in the post can be used together.

And that is it.

Conclusion

Using servers requires knowledge of many different commands. Today you have learned how to use in a basic way the wget command that will allow you to download files to a computer using the terminal. It is also useful if you like to use the terminal or in low resources equipment.

The post The wget command appeared first on Linux Windows and android Tutorials.

Installing Wget in Windows 10

Wget is a free tool and relatively simple to install in a Linux environment. Just type the appropriate commands to each distribution, and you’re done. However, when it comes to Windows, the situation changes. There are many installers and options that end up with installation errors. However, we’ve got this version that works properly. Go to this link and download version 1.11.4-1

Next, we proceed to run the installer. Just double click and the wizard will start, press next to continue:

Then accept the license terms, and click Next to continue the installation.

Select the folder where the program will be installed. Click next to continue the installation.

Next, select the components to install. To ensure proper operation, check both boxes and press Next to continue the installation.

Next, you can create direct access to the application and its respective location

You can install additional icons. Click Next to continue

Verify the installation options and press Install to finish the process.

Once the installation is finished, we will see the following screen.

Using Wget in Windows 10

Please note that Wget does not have a graphical interface, so you will have to use it through command in the CMD. To check that the program is actually installed, please go to the installation directory. Depending on the installation options selected, it should be as follows:

C:\Program Files (x86)\GnuWin32\bin

What we need to do is open a command prompt. With this intention, press the Win+R combination and type CMD

Once there, use the CD command to navigate to the file location mentioned above. Then type Wget to use the program.

Add environment variable

We have correctly installed Wget. However, to be able to use it we always have to navigate to the installation folder of the program. This is cumbersome, so if we want to use Wget from any directory, we need to add an environment variable. With this in mind, please follow this path: Control Panel>System and Security>System>Advanced system settings

On the next screen, choose Environment Variables

Next, we are going to create a new environment variable. With that intention, please select Path and press Edit.

On the next screen first select New, then Browse. You must select the address where the program is installed.

Press ok in each of the open windows, and we can run Wget every time we open a Command Prompt. It doesn’t matter which directory we’re in. Let’s test the Wget command, downloading its executable for windows 10. With this intention, we enter this command in the CMD

wget https://sourceforge.net/projects/gnuwin32/files/wget/1.11.4-1/wget-1.11.4-1-setup.exe/download

Using Wget in Windows Subsystem for Linux

We have already seen how to use bash in windows 10. Through WSL we can also use Wget natively. To do this, we’ll open ubuntu and run the following command:

 sudo apt-get install wget 

Enter your password, and wait while the program is installed. Now we are ready to use wget in Windows 10.

Finally, we have seen how to install Wget in Windows 10. We can do it natively or using the Windows Subsystem for Linux. Both methods are valid for using this powerful download tool. Not only will we have access to files, but also to complete pages so that they can run offline. All right, that’s it for now, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. We are here to serve! until next time!

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