How to install curlcpp on Linux?

You can compile curlcpp manually using CMake by cloning the repository, running cmake and make in the build directory, then linking with -lcurlcpp and -lcurl. Alternatively, use Homebrew on macOS as mentioned in the README.

curlcpp vs cpp-httplib: which is better for C++ HTTP clients?

curlcpp is a wrapper around libcurl, offering full libcurl features like multi-transfer support but requires external linking. cpp-httplib is header-only and simpler, but may lack advanced protocols. Choose curlcpp if you need libcurl's capabilities in a C++ interface.

How to handle HTTPS requests with curlcpp?

curlcpp supports HTTPS through libcurl. Set options like CURLOPT_SSL_VERIFYPEER in the curl_easy object, as shown in the HTTP POST example where SSL verification is disabled for testing purposes.

Can curlcpp handle asynchronous HTTP requests?

Yes, curlcpp provides a curl_multi class for asynchronous transfers. The example demonstrates performing multiple requests simultaneously and handling them with a loop using get_next_finished() to process results.

How to debug errors in curlcpp?

curlcpp uses exception-based error handling. Catch curl_easy_exception and use error.what() for the last error or error.print_traceback() for a full stack trace, as illustrated in the try-catch blocks in the examples.

Is curlcpp thread-safe?

curlcpp relies on libcurl's thread-safety. Generally, curl_easy objects should not be shared between threads without synchronization, but curl_multi can handle concurrent transfers with careful management.

Open-Awesome

curlcpp

MITC++3.1

An object-oriented C++ wrapper for libcurl that simplifies HTTP requests and network operations.

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675 stars180 forks0 contributors

What is curlcpp?

curlcpp is an object-oriented C++ wrapper for libcurl that simplifies making HTTP requests and handling network operations. It provides C++ classes and RAII patterns to replace libcurl's C API, reducing boilerplate and improving type safety for developers working with web services, APIs, or file transfers in C++.

Target Audience

C++ developers who need to perform HTTP/HTTPS requests, handle web APIs, or manage network sessions in their applications and prefer a modern, object-oriented interface over raw libcurl C calls.

Value Proposition

Developers choose curlcpp because it offers a cleaner, more expressive C++ API for libcurl, eliminating manual resource management and error-prone C-style callbacks while maintaining full access to libcurl's powerful features.

Overview

An object oriented C++ wrapper for CURL (libcurl)

Use Cases

Best For

Building C++ applications that consume REST APIs or web services
Implementing file download/upload functionality in C++ projects
Creating HTTP client libraries or SDKs in modern C++
Handling multiple simultaneous network transfers asynchronously
Integrating web request capabilities into existing C++ codebases
Learning libcurl usage through a more approachable C++ interface

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring a header-only HTTP client to minimize dependencies and simplify integration
Applications that need built-in, high-level features like automatic JSON parsing or OAuth authentication without additional libraries
Teams looking for a lightweight solution for simple HTTP tasks where the overhead of libcurl and C++ abstraction is unnecessary

Pros & Cons

Pros

Object-Oriented Design

Encapsulates libcurl's C API into C++ classes like curl_easy, providing RAII and automatic resource management, as shown in examples where no manual cleanup is needed after requests.

Stream Integration

Supports output to C++ streams via curl_ios adapter, allowing easy handling of responses in variables or files, demonstrated in examples storing output in ostringstream or ofstream.

Comprehensive Error Handling

Offers exception-based error handling with stack tracebacks, enabling detailed debugging through methods like error.print_traceback() in catch blocks, as illustrated in the code snippets.

Multi-Transfer Support

Includes curl_multi class for asynchronous handling of multiple transfers, with examples showing concurrent requests to different URLs and management of active transfers.

Cons

Dependency on libcurl

Requires linking with libcurl (version >=7.86.0) and managing its installation, which adds complexity to build systems and deployment compared to standalone C++ libraries.

Limited High-Level Abstractions

Focuses on wrapping libcurl's low-level API, so lacks built-in support for common web development tasks like JSON serialization, forcing developers to handle these separately.

Complex Setup for Advanced Features

The multi-interface and sender/receiver examples show intricate code with manual stream and handler management, which can be error-prone and less intuitive for beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions

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