What is Curl ?
Before understanding curl let just know what the server is and why we need it.
So basically a server is device on a network that manages network resources its like a central hub which we need for storing, processing, and delevering the information. when a sends a request another side the present one is server who process it and gives response.
Curl stands for client url. curl is a command line tool which sends API reqeust and you can get response output right from the terminal where it supoorts 20+ protocols. Basically to see API calls we use postman so curl is the tool just being in terminal we can call API and see the output. In another words its just a tool developers used to transfer a data to and from server.
Why programmers need curl
Interacting with and testing API’s
Developers use the curl to send the http requests (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to API endpoints to verify they are working before writing the code.
Debugging
It can be verbose, providing details of exactly what has been sent/received which is helpful for debugging.
Versatility and Portablility
It can work on almost all system no issues.
It provides lightweight way to test network from terminal itself without opening heavy GUI.
Understanding Request and Response
This concept is that easy to understand as we know that curl is a command line tool that allows to send a request to web server and receive it’s responses. It opeartes using URL syntax and various network protocols.
Usually a curl command constructs an https request to a server it uses base command which is curl followed by a target URL here by default curl sends a GET request which asks server to retrive the resource
After sending a request to server, the server processes it and sends http response back to the curl client it gives content in response whatever we requested the body can html code, an image, etc.
Comman mistakes beginners make with cURL
Beginners often make mistakes using curl by igoring errors, not reading documentation, etc.
Ignoring return code
Incorrect data handling
Autentication issues
No documentation readings
Hence these are some comman problem beginners do. To avoid such one should read documentation, take a help of experienced senior.