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Networking & TransferCLI Reference

$wget

Non-interactive network downloader for HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP.

Syntax DefinitionPOSIX standard
wget [OPTIONS] [URL...]
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Overview & How wget Works

`wget` is a robust file downloader capable of recursive directory downloading, resuming interrupted transfers, and running unattended in the background.

Common Flags & Command Options

Flag / OptionDescription
-c, --continueResume getting a partially-downloaded file.
-b, --backgroundGo to background immediately after startup.
-O [file]Write documents to specified filename.
-r, --recursiveSpecify recursive web crawling and downloading.

Practical Real-World Examples

Example #1Download file from URL
wget https://example.com/installer.sh

Downloads installer.sh directly into the current directory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between curl and wget?

`wget` is specialized for downloading files, recursive mirroring, and resuming transfers. `curl` is a broader data transfer tool for interacting with REST APIs and sending complex requests.