curl

curl is a globally distributed open source project that develops a command line tool and library for transferring data with URLs across various network protocols. Operating without a commercial revenue model, the organization relies on corporate sponsorships, user donations, and volunteer contributions to fund its ongoing software maintenance. Its core components, which include the curl CLI application and the libcurl library introduced in 2001, are utilized by software developers worldwide and embedded directly into programming languages and systems such as PHP, HTTP, and FTP. The project has achieved a massive global scale, recording over ten billion installations across diverse hardware environments. Furthermore, the open source repository maintains a development history encompassing more than 24,000 code commits. Evolving from an earlier project called httpget, curl was founded in 1998 by Daniel Stenberg, who authored over half of those commits.

Curl provides an indispensable command-line tool and versatile library, libcurl, designed for transferring data with URLs. This robust solution supports a comprehensive array of protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and SCP, enabling seamless data exchange across diverse network environments. Its sophisticated features encompass proxy support, advanced HTTP handling, TLS encryption, multiple authentication methods, and efficient data compression, making it a foundational component for complex data transfer operations.

The project originated in late 1996 when Daniel Stenberg embarked on creating an IRC bot to fetch currency exchange rates for Amiga users. This initial need for a reliable data transfer mechanism over the internet evolved, leading to the official release of curl in March 1998. Stenberg’s foresight in developing a universal data transfer client laid the groundwork for its widespread adoption.

Today, curl is integrated into countless applications and devices, serving as the internet transfer engine for systems ranging from cars and smart televisions to mobile phones and medical equipment. It underpins data movement for developers, system administrators, and virtually all internet-connected services. As a free and open-source initiative, curl continues to empower secure and efficient data transfer, shaping the interconnected digital landscape.