The wget command is used to download files directly from the internet to a server via SSH. It retrieves content using HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP protocols and saves it locally in the current directory.
This command is commonly used when you need to download files without using a browser or graphical interface.
Table of Contents
How the command works
The basic structure is:
wget URL
Example:
wget https://example.com/file.zip
This downloads the file and stores it in the directory where the command is executed.
Downloading to a specific location
You can specify a different output name:
wget -O newfile.zip https://example.com/file.zip
This saves the downloaded file under a custom name.
Practical use cases
The wget command is commonly used for:
- downloading backups or archives to the server
- retrieving installation packages or scripts
- transferring files without FTP clients
- automating downloads in deployment processes
Practical implications
The command does not require a browser and works directly from the server environment.
Download speed and success depend on network availability and the accessibility of the remote file.
Large downloads may take time depending on file size and server conditions.
Summary
The wget command downloads files from the internet directly to a server. It is a basic tool for retrieving remote content in SSH environments.