What are best practices for using wget command?

The wget command is a powerful tool for downloading files from the web. Here are some best practices to consider when using this command:

  • Use -r for Recursive Downloads: If you want to download an entire website, use the -r option for recursive downloading.
  • Limit Download Speed: Use the --limit-rate option to limit the download speed, which can be helpful if you don't want to consume all your bandwidth.
  • Specify User-Agent: Some websites may block non-browser requests. Use the option to specify a browser-like user agent.
  • Download in Background: Use the -b option to run wget in the background, which allows for large downloads to continue without tying up your terminal.
  • Check Files Before Overwriting: Utilize the -nc (no-clobber) option to ensure wget does not overwrite existing files.

Here's an example of how to use wget effectively:

wget -r -np -k -p --limit-rate=100k http://example.com

wget download files recursive downloads bandwidth limit user-agent background download file check