HTTP requests with curl in scripts in Bash Scripting - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the basic command to make a GET request using curl?

The basic command is curl URL. This sends a GET request to the URL and shows the response.

beginner

How do you include headers in a curl request?

Use the -H option followed by the header in quotes. Example: curl -H "Content-Type: application/json" URL.

beginner

How can you send data with a POST request using curl?

Use -d to send data and -X POST to specify POST method. Example: curl -X POST -d "name=John" URL.

beginner

What option makes curl silent, so it doesn't show progress or errors?

Use -s or --silent. This is useful in scripts to avoid clutter.

beginner

How do you save the response of a curl request to a file?

Use -o filename to save the output to a file. Example: curl URL -o response.txt.

Which curl option is used to add a custom header to an HTTP request?

A -d

B -H

C -X

D -s

The -H option adds headers like Content-Type or Authorization.

What does the -d option do in a curl command?

A Sets the HTTP method

B Adds a header

C Sends data in the request body

D Makes curl silent

-d sends data, usually with POST or PUT requests.

How do you specify a POST request explicitly with curl?

A -X POST

B -H POST

C -d POST

D -s POST

-X POST tells curl to use the POST method.

Which option saves the response to a file?

A -o filename

B -s filename

C -H filename

D -d filename

-o followed by a filename saves the output to that file.

What does the -s option do in curl?

A Adds a header

B Sends data

C Specifies HTTP method

D Runs curl silently without progress or errors

-s makes curl silent, useful in scripts to avoid extra output.

Explain how to make a POST request with JSON data using curl in a script.

Think about method, headers, and data options.

Describe how to save the output of a curl HTTP GET request to a file silently.

Combine silent mode and output file options.