Which is better for downloading files: curl or wget?

Which is better for downloading files: curl or wget?

Both curl and wget are excellent tools for downloading files, but they have different strengths. Curl is more versatile and supports a wider range of protocols, while wget is better for downloading entire websites or recursive downloads.

Can you explain the performance differences between them?

Sure! Curl is generally faster for single file downloads due to its efficient handling of HTTP requests. Wget, on the other hand, can be slower for single files but excels in downloading multiple files or entire directories.

What about error handling and resuming downloads?

Wget has built-in support for resuming downloads and can handle errors more gracefully, making it ideal for unreliable connections. Curl can also resume downloads, but it requires additional options to be set.

Which one should I use for scripting?

If you're writing scripts, curl is often preferred due to its flexibility and extensive options. However, if you need to download multiple files or mirror a site, wget is the better choice.