How to Install and Use cURL Command on Windows/Mac

cURL is an essential tool for network requests and data transfer, widely utilized on both Windows and Mac systems. This versatile command-line tool supports numerous protocols, making it indispensable for developers and system administrators. In this guide, we’ll walk through installing and running cURL on Windows and Mac, ensuring seamless operations for your network needs.

What is cURL?

cURL (short for Client for URLs) is a command-line tool and library designed for transferring data with URLs. It supports a wide range of protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, FTPS, SCP, SFTP, LDAP, TFTP, and many more. cURL is prevalent in making HTTP requests from the command line or in scripts, making it an invaluable tool for interacting with web APIs and services.

What Does cURL Do?

cURL can handle a vast array of tasks, from simple HTTP GET requests to complex operations like sending POST requests, managing cookies, and following redirects. Its command-line nature makes it exceptionally suitable for developers and system administrators who need to interact with web services, APIs, or transfer files over different protocols efficiently.

Installing and Running cURL on Windows

Step 1: Download cURL

• Visit the official cURL website.
• Download the cURL executable for Windows (choose either 32-bit or 64-bit).
• Save the curl.exe file to your desired location on your drive.

Step 2: Open Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell

• Press Win + R, type cmd or powershell, and hit Enter to open Command Prompt or PowerShell.

Step 3: Run cURL Command

• Use the cURL command followed by the desired options and the URL. For example:

curl https://example.com

Installing and Running cURL on Mac

Pre-installed cURL:

• macOS comes with cURL pre-installed. Simply open Terminal (the default command-line interface).

Running cURL Command:

• Use the cURL command with the desired options and the URL. For example:

curl https://example.co

Note:
If you need to reinstall cURL or ensure it’s up to date, you can use Homebrew:

• Open Terminal and run:

ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)" < /dev/null 2> /dev/null brew install cu

Advantages of Using cURL

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on various operating systems.
• Protocol Support: Handles a multitude of protocols.
• Command-Line Interface: Powerful and scriptable for automation.
• Flexibility: Customize HTTP requests, file transfers, and more.
• SSL/TLS Support: Secure data transfers.
• Open Source: Actively maintained by a robust community.

Apidog: Simplifying cURL Commands

For those looking to simplify the use of cURL commands, Apidog can be a good helper here. Apidog enables users to create, save, and send messages to API endpoints effortlessly. Its user-friendly design caters to both beginners and experienced developers, making API debugging a breeze.

FAQs

1. Is cURL available on macOS?

• Yes, cURL comes pre-installed on macOS. You can use it directly from the Terminal.

2. What is the equivalent of cURL on Windows?

• The equivalent is also cURL. You can use the same cURL command in the Command Prompt or PowerShell.