When it comes to making web requests, timing is crucial. Nobody likes to wait еndlеssly for a wеbpagе to load or a sеrvеr to respond. If you’re using curl to fetch data from the web, you’ll be pleased to know that there are ways to put a cap on the time your requests take.
Here’s how to limit curl request time to make sure that you stay in control of your data-fetching operations.
Method 1: Using the –max-time Option
Whilerunning the curl command, you can specify the-mor–max-timeoption to set a strict time limit on the request. This option lets you specify the maximum time, in seconds, that you’re willing to let the command take before it exits with a timeout error code (28):
You can define the maximum with decimal precision, where 0.3 means 300 milliseconds, 5.46 equals 5,460 milliseconds, and 20 means 20 seconds.
For instance:
This command sends a request to the provided GitHub URL. It will save the response data as test.md and finish within a maximum time of 30 seconds.
Method 2: Using the –connect-timeout Option
To control the time curl spends trying to connect to a host, use the–connect-timeoutoption. This sets a maximum time limit for curl to complete the connection steps, includingDNS lookupand subsequent TCP, TLS, or QUIC handshakes.
If curl cannot establish a connection within the time frame you specify, it will exit with a timeout error code (28):
For example:
Here, the curl command retrieves the file specified in the URL, saves it as test.md, and enforces a 20-second limit for establishing the connection with the server.
Control Curl Requests for Swift Retrieval
In a world where time is money, being able to limit curl request time is a handy skill. Whether you choose the –connect-timeout or –max-time option, you’re taking charge of your data-fetching tasks. So, no more endless waiting, it’s time to make efficient, controlled web requests.
Next time you find yourself waiting for a curl request to finish, remember these methods and make curl work on your terms.
