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curl vs python request

Narkw Brahma

Narkw Brahma

• 1 min read

Curl vs Python Request

As a software engineer, I have had to work with both Curl and Python Request libraries. In my opinion, both tools are great for making HTTP requests, but they each have their pros and cons.

Curl

Curl is a command-line tool that is used to transfer data to or from a server, using one of the many supported protocols such as HTTP, FTP, and SMTP. It is also known for its ability to transfer files, as well as being able to work with different authentication methods.

One of the advantages of using Curl is its simplicity. The command-line syntax is straightforward and easy to understand. For example, to make a GET request using Curl:

$ curl https://www.example.com

Curl also supports a wide range of options that can be used to customize your requests. For example, you can specify the request method, headers, and data:

$ curl -X POST -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"username":"user1","password":"pass1"}' https://www.example.com/login

Python Requests

Python Requests is a popular library for making HTTP requests in Python. It provides a simple and elegant API that makes it easy to work with HTTP requests and responses.

One of the biggest advantages of using Python Requests is its flexibility. You can use it to make requests with different HTTP methods, pass in headers and parameters, and even work with cookies and sessions.

Here's an example of making a GET request using Python Requests:

import requests

response = requests.get('https://www.example.com')

print(response.text)

Python Requests also makes it easy to work with JSON data. You can use the built-in JSON decoder to parse JSON responses:

import requests

response = requests.get('https://www.example.com/data.json')

data = response.json()

print(data)

Conclusion

Both Curl and Python Requests are great tools for making HTTP requests. If you're working on the command line and need a simple and powerful tool, Curl is a great option. If you're working in Python and need more flexibility and features, Python Requests is the way to go.

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