`wget` is a command-line utility used for non-interactive downloading of files from the web. It is designed to be robust, recursive, and ideal for mirroring websites or downloading large files over HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP protocols.
- Designed for **retrieving** content - Handles **recursive downloads** and **site mirroring** - Can **resume interrupted downloads** - Ideal for scripting and automation - Works well without user interaction
# Wget vs curl | Feature | `wget` | `curl` | |------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------| | Protocols | HTTP, HTTPS, FTP | Many (HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, etc.) | | Recursive Download | Yes | No | | Resume Support | Yes | Partial | | Sending Data (POST) | No | Yes | | Ideal Use Case | Site mirroring, bulk downloads | API calls, single requests | | Scripting Suitability | Excellent for downloading | Excellent for data interaction |
# Example Use Case
You want to download the full content of a web page, including all associated assets (images, stylesheets, scripts) from h2g2.com 
The example below downloads the page and all required assets so you can browse it offline, maintaining the structure and appearance of the original site.
wget --mirror \ --convert-links \ --adjust-extension \ --page-requisites \ --no-parent \ https://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A266591
# Explanation of Flags * `--mirror`: Enables options suitable for mirroring * `--convert-links`: Converts links for local viewing * `--adjust-extension`: Saves files with proper file extensions * `--page-requisites`: Downloads all necessary assets (images, CSS, JS) * `--no-parent`: Prevents climbing to parent directories
# Why `wget` is a Good Fit * **Simplicity:** It’s easy to use and doesn’t require a complex setup. * **Compatibility:** It runs on almost any platform, making it accessible for the original community members. * **Efficiency:** It handles large numbers of pages efficiently and avoids redundant downloads. * **Automation:** You can script it to run periodically or as needed, making it straightforward to maintain a static mirror of the site.
# Steps to Scale up with `wget` 1. **Initial Run:** Start by mirroring the entire site to get a baseline static copy. 2. **Incremental Updates:** You can set up cron jobs or scheduled tasks to periodically update the static mirror, ensuring it stays current. 3. **Distribution:** The resulting static site can be easily shared or hosted on platforms like Netlify, and the simplicity means anyone familiar with basic command-line tools can manage it.
# Future Considerations * **Testing:** Start with a test run on a smaller subset of the site to ensure everything works as expected before scaling up. * **Community Involvement:** Provide clear documentation or scripts so that community members can contribute to maintaining and updating the static mirror.