When cURL fetches data, it generally prints the response to standard output, suitable for quick checks but not for long-term storage or comprehensive analysis.
Using shell redirection, --output, or --remote-name, cURL can save responses directly into files. Preserving content locally simplifies reviewing large or binary files and enables offline examination or automated processing.
Storing output ensures that valuable information is retained, facilitating deeper inspection, historical comparisons, and convenient integration into scripts or workflows.
Steps to save cURL output to a file:
- Open a terminal.
- Redirect output to a file using shell redirection.
$ curl "https://www.example.com/" > output.txt
- Append new data to an existing file instead of overwriting.
$ curl "https://www.example.com/" >> output.txt
Appending helps track incremental changes over time.
- Separate errors from standard output.
$ curl "https://invalid.url" 2> errorlog.txt
2 redirects error messages to a distinct file.
- Combine standard output and errors into one file.
$ curl "https://invalid.url" > output.txt 2>&1
Merging output streams simplifies debugging in a single file.
- Use --output to specify the filename directly.
$ curl --output customname.jpg "https://www.example.com/image.jpg"
--output offers explicit naming for downloaded files.
- Use --remote-name to save files with their remote names.
$ curl --remote-name "https://www.example.com/image.jpg"
--remote-name uses the server's filename, convenient for direct mirroring.
- Review saved files using appropriate tools.
$ cat output.txt
Use text editors or image viewers depending on the file type.
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Mohd Shakir Zakaria is a cloud architect with deep roots in software development and open-source advocacy. Certified in AWS, Red Hat, VMware, ITIL, and Linux, he specializes in designing and managing robust cloud and on-premises infrastructures.
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