docs: FAQ MAIL-ETIQUETTE language fixes

  another tool that uses libcurl.

  another tool that uses libcurl.

  We do not add things to curl that other small and available tools already do

  We do not add things to curl that other small and available tools already do

  very fine at the side. Curl's output is fine to pipe into another program or

  very well at the side. Curl's output can be piped into another program or

  redirect to another file for the next program to interpret.

  redirected to another file for the next program to interpret.

  We focus on protocol related issues and improvements. If you wanna do more

  We focus on protocol related issues and improvements. If you wanna do more

  magic with the supported protocols than curl currently does, chances are big

  magic with the supported protocols than curl currently does, chances are good

  we will agree. If you wanna add more protocols, we may very well agree.

  we will agree. If you wanna add more protocols, we may very well agree.

  If you want someone else to make all the work while you wait for us to

  If you want someone else to do all the work while you wait for us to

  implement it for you, that is not a very friendly attitude. We spend a

  implement it for you, that is not a very friendly attitude. We spend a

  considerable time already on maintaining and developing curl. In order to

  considerable time already on maintaining and developing curl. In order to

  get more out of us, you should consider trading in some of your time and

  get more out of us, you should consider trading in some of your time and

  efforts in return. Simply go to the GitHub repo which resides at

  effort in return. Simply go to the GitHub repo which resides at

  https://github.com/curl/curl, fork the project, and create pull requests

  https://github.com/curl/curl, fork the project, and create pull requests

  with your proposed changes.

  with your proposed changes.

  If you write the code, chances are bigger that it will get into curl faster.

  If you write the code, chances are better that it will get into curl faster.

  1.5 Who makes curl?

  1.5 Who makes curl?

  project leader and main developer, but other persons' submissions are

  project leader and main developer, but other persons' submissions are

  important and crucial. Anyone can contribute and post their changes and

  important and crucial. Anyone can contribute and post their changes and

  improvements and have them inserted in the main sources (of course on the

  improvements and have them inserted in the main sources (of course on the

  condition that developers agree on that the fixes are good).

  condition that developers agree that the fixes are good).

  The full list of all contributors is found in the docs/THANKS file.

  The full list of all contributors is found in the docs/THANKS file.

  1.6 What do you get for making curl?

  1.6 What do you get for making curl?

  Project cURL is entirely free and open. No person gets paid for developing

  Project cURL is entirely free and open. No person gets paid for developing

  curl on full time. We do this voluntarily, mostly on spare time.

  curl full time. We do this voluntarily, mostly in our spare time.

  Occasionally companies pay individual developers to work on curl, but that's

  Occasionally companies pay individual developers to work on curl, but that's

  up to each company and developer. It is not controlled by nor supervised in

  up to each company and developer. This is not controlled by nor supervised in

  any way by the project.

  any way by the project.

  We still get help from companies. Haxx provides web site, bandwidth, mailing

  We still get help from companies. Haxx provides web site, bandwidth, mailing

  do so in the future.

  do so in the future.

  If you want to support our project, consider a donation or a banner-program

  If you want to support our project, consider a donation or a banner-program

  or even better: by helping us coding, documenting, testing etc.

  or even better: by helping us with coding, documenting or testing etc.

  1.7 What about CURL from curl.com?

  1.7 What about CURL from curl.com?

  During the summer 2001, curl.com was busy advertising their client-side

  During the summer of 2001, curl.com was busy advertising their client-side

  programming language for the web, named CURL.

  programming language for the web, named CURL.

  We are in no way associated with curl.com or their CURL programming

  We are in no way associated with curl.com or their CURL programming

  We recognize that we will be living in parallel with curl.com and wish them

  We recognize that we will be living in parallel with curl.com and wish them

  every success.

  every success.

  1.8 I have a problem who do I mail?

  1.8 I have a problem whom do I mail?

  Please do not mail any single individual unless you really need to. Keep

  Please do not mail any single individual unless you really need to. Keep

  curl-related questions on a suitable mailing list. All available mailing

  curl-related questions on a suitable mailing list. All available mailing

  https://curl.haxx.se/mail/

  https://curl.haxx.se/mail/

  Keeping curl-related questions and discussions on mailing lists allows

  Keeping curl-related questions and discussions on mailing lists allows

  others to join in and help, to share their ideas, contribute their

  others to join in and help, to share their ideas, to contribute their

  suggestions and spread their wisdom. Keeping discussions on public mailing

  suggestions and to spread their wisdom. Keeping discussions on public mailing

  lists also allows for others to learn from this (both current and future

  lists also allows for others to learn from this (both current and future

  users thanks to the web based archives of the mailing lists), thus saving us

  users thanks to the web based archives of the mailing lists), thus saving us

  from having to repeat ourselves even more. Thanks for respecting this.

  from having to repeat ourselves even more. Thanks for respecting this.

  1.11 Why don't you update ca-bundle.crt

  1.11 Why don't you update ca-bundle.crt

  The ca cert bundle that used to shipped with curl was very outdated and must

  The ca cert bundle that used to be shipped with curl was very outdated and 

  be replaced with an up-to-date version by anyone who wants to verify

  must be replaced with an up-to-date version by anyone who wants to verify

  peers. It is no longer provided by curl. The last curl release ever that

  peers. It is no longer provided by curl. The last curl release that ever

  shipped a ca cert bundle was curl 7.18.0.

  shipped a ca cert bundle was curl 7.18.0.

  In the cURL project we've decided not to attempt to keep this file updated

  In the cURL project we've decided not to attempt to keep this file updated

  1.12 I have a problem who can I chat with?

  1.12 I have a problem who can I chat with?

  There's a bunch of friendly people hanging out in the #curl channel on the

  There's a bunch of friendly people hanging out in the #curl channel on the

  IRC network irc.freenode.net. If you're polite and nice, chances are big

  IRC network irc.freenode.net. If you're polite and nice, chances are good

  that you can get -- or provide -- help instantly.

  that you can get -- or provide -- help instantly.

  1.13 curl's ECCN number?

  1.13 curl's ECCN number?

    2.1.2 only the libssl lib is missing

    2.1.2 only the libssl lib is missing

    If all include files and the libcrypto lib is present, with only the

    If all include files and the libcrypto lib is present, with only the

    libssl being missing according to configure, this is mostly likely because

    libssl being missing according to configure, this is most likely because

    a few functions are left out from the libssl.

    a few functions are left out from the libssl.

    If the function names missing include RSA or RSAREF you can be certain

    If the function names missing include RSA or RSAREF you can be certain

  2.5 Install libcurl for both 32bit and 64bit?

  2.5 Install libcurl for both 32bit and 64bit?

  In curl's configure procedure one of the regular include files get created

  In curl's configure procedure one of the regular include files gets created

  with platform specific information. The file 'curl/curlbuild.h' in the

  with platform specific information. The file 'curl/curlbuild.h' in the

  installed libcurl file tree is therefore somewhat tied to that particular

  installed libcurl file tree is therefore somewhat tied to that particular

  platform.

  platform.

  3.3 Why doesn't my posting using -F work?

  3.3 Why doesn't my posting using -F work?

  You can't simply use -F or -d at your choice. The web server that will

  You can't arbitrarily use -F or -d, the choice between -F or -d depends on the 

  receive your post expects one of the formats. If the form you're trying to

  HTTP operation you need curl to do and what the web server that will receive 

  submit uses the type 'multipart/form-data', then and only then you must use

  your post expects. 

  the -F type. In all the most common cases, you should use -d which then

  causes a posting with the type 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded'.

  If the form you're trying to submit uses the type 'multipart/form-data', then 

  and only then you must use the -F type. In all the most common cases, you 

  should use -d which then causes a posting with the type 

  'application/x-www-form-urlencoded'.

  This is described in some detail in the MANUAL and TheArtOfHttpScripting

  This is described in some detail in the MANUAL and TheArtOfHttpScripting

  documents, and if you don't understand it the first time, read it again

  documents, and if you don't understand it the first time, read it again

  XML-RPC are all such ones. You can use -X to set custom requests and -H to

  XML-RPC are all such ones. You can use -X to set custom requests and -H to

  set custom headers (or replace internally generated ones).

  set custom headers (or replace internally generated ones).

  Using libcurl is of course just as fine and you'd just use the proper

  Using libcurl is of course just as good and you'd just use the proper

  library options to do the same.

  library options to do the same.

  3.11 How do I POST with a different Content-Type?

  3.11 How do I POST with a different Content-Type?

  There is one exception to this rule, and that is if you can "tunnel through"

  There is one exception to this rule, and that is if you can "tunnel through"

  the given HTTP proxy. Proxy tunneling is enabled with a special option (-p)

  the given HTTP proxy. Proxy tunneling is enabled with a special option (-p)

  and is generally not available as proxy admins usually disable tunneling to

  and is generally not available as proxy admins usually disable tunneling to

  other ports than 443 (which is used for HTTPS access through proxies).

  ports other than 443 (which is used for HTTPS access through proxies).

  3.13 Why does my single/double quotes fail?

  3.13 Why does my single/double quotes fail?

  Windows/DOS prompts I believe you're forced to use double (") quotes.

  Windows/DOS prompts I believe you're forced to use double (") quotes.

  Please study the documentation for your particular environment. Examples in

  Please study the documentation for your particular environment. Examples in

  the curl docs will use a mix of both these ones as shown above. You must

  the curl docs will use a mix of both of these as shown above. You must

  adjust them to work in your environment.

  adjust them to work in your environment.

  Remember that curl works and runs on more operating systems than most single

  Remember that curl works and runs on more operating systems than most single

  No. curl itself has no code that performs recursive operations, such as

  No. curl itself has no code that performs recursive operations, such as

  those performed by wget and similar tools.

  those performed by wget and similar tools.

  There exist wrapper scripts with that functionality (for example the

  There exists wrapper scripts with that functionality (for example the

  curlmirror perl script), and you can write programs based on libcurl to do

  curlmirror perl script), and you can write programs based on libcurl to do

  it, but the command line tool curl itself cannot.

  it, but the command line tool curl itself cannot.

  CLIENT CERTIFICATE

  CLIENT CERTIFICATE

  The server you communicate may require that you can provide this in order to

  The server you communicate with may require that you can provide this in 

  prove that you actually are who you claim to be.  If the server doesn't

  order to prove that you actually are who you claim to be.  If the server 

  require this, you don't need a client certificate.

  doesn't require this, you don't need a client certificate.

  A client certificate is always used together with a private key, and the

  A client certificate is always used together with a private key, and the

  private key has a pass phrase that protects it.

  private key has a pass phrase that protects it.

  4.3 How can I use {, }, [ or ] to specify multiple URLs?

  4.3 How can I use {, }, [ or ] to specify multiple URLs?

  Because those letters have a special meaning to the shell, and to be used in

  Because those letters have a special meaning to the shell, to be used in

  a URL specified to curl you must quote them.

  a URL specified to curl you must quote them.

  An example that downloads two URLs (sequentially) would do:

  An example that downloads two URLs (sequentially) would be:

    curl '{curl,www}.haxx.se'

    curl '{curl,www}.haxx.se'

  To be able to use those letters as actual parts of the URL (without using

  To be able to use those characters as actual parts of the URL (without using

  them for the curl URL "globbing" system), use the -g/--globoff option:

  them for the curl URL "globbing" system), use the -g/--globoff option:

    curl -g 'www.site.com/weirdname[].html'

    curl -g 'www.site.com/weirdname[].html'

  4.14 Redirects work in browser but not with curl!

  4.14 Redirects work in browser but not with curl!

  curl supports HTTP redirects fine (see item 3.8). Browsers generally support

  curl supports HTTP redirects well (see item 3.8). Browsers generally support

  at least two other ways to perform redirects that curl does not:

  at least two other ways to perform redirects that curl does not:

  Meta tags. You can write a HTML tag that will cause the browser to redirect

  Meta tags. You can write a HTML tag that will cause the browser to redirect

  To use explicit FTPS, you use a FTP:// URL and the --ftp-ssl option (or one

  To use explicit FTPS, you use a FTP:// URL and the --ftp-ssl option (or one

  of its related flavours). This is the most common method, and the one

  of its related flavours). This is the most common method, and the one

  mandated by RFC4217. This kind of connection then of course uses the

  mandated by RFC4217. This kind of connection will then of course use the

  standard FTP port 21 by default.

  standard FTP port 21 by default.

  4.16 My HTTP POST or PUT requests are slow!

  4.16 My HTTP POST or PUT requests are slow!

  libcurl makes all POST and PUT requests (except for POST requests with a

  libcurl makes all POST and PUT requests (except for POST requests with a

  very tiny request body) use the "Expect: 100-continue" header. This header

  very tiny request body) use the "Expect: 100-continue" header. This header

  allows the server to deny the operation early so that libcurl can bail out

  allows the server to deny the operation early so that libcurl can bail out

  already before having to send any data. This is useful in authentication

  before having to send any data. This is useful in authentication

  cases and others.

  cases and others.

  However, many servers don't implement the Expect: stuff properly and if the

  However, many servers don't implement the Expect: stuff properly and if the

  When doing HTTP transfers, curl will perform exactly what you're asking it

  When doing HTTP transfers, curl will perform exactly what you're asking it

  to do and if successful it will not return an error. You can use curl to

  to do and if successful it will not return an error. You can use curl to

  test your web server's "file not found" page (that gets 404 back), you can

  test your web server's "file not found" page (that gets 404 back), you can

  use it to check your authentication protected web pages (that get a 401

  use it to check your authentication protected web pages (that gets a 401

  back) and so on.

  back) and so on.

  The specific HTTP response code does not constitute a problem or error for

  The specific HTTP response code does not constitute a problem or error for

  libcurl speak).

  libcurl speak).

  You can also use the -w option and the variable %{response_code} to extract

  You can also use the -w option and the variable %{response_code} to extract

  the exact response code that was return in the response.

  the exact response code that was returned in the response.

  4.21 Why is there a HTTP/1.1 in my HTTP/2 request?

  4.21 Why is there a HTTP/1.1 in my HTTP/2 request?

  The reason for this is that we first generate the request to send using the

  The reason for this is that we first generate the request to send using the

  old 1.1 style and show that request in the verbose output, and then we

  old 1.1 style and show that request in the verbose output, and then we

  convert it over to the binary header-compressed HTTP/2 style. The actual

  convert it over to the binary header-compressed HTTP/2 style. The actual

  "1.1" part from that request is then not actually used in the transfer. The

  "1.1" part from that request is then not actually used in the transfer. 

  binary HTTP/2 headers are not human readable.

  The binary HTTP/2 headers are not human readable.

5. libcurl Issues

5. libcurl Issues

  libcurl will reuse connections for all transfers that are made using the

  libcurl will reuse connections for all transfers that are made using the

  same libcurl handle.

  same libcurl handle.

  When you use the easy interface, the connection cache is kept within the

  When you use the easy interface the connection cache is kept within the easy 

  easy handle. If you instead use the multi interface, the connection cache

  handle. If you instead use the multi interface, the connection cache will be 

  will be kept within the multi handle and will be shared among all the easy

  kept within the multi handle and will be shared among all the easy handles 

  handles that are used within the same multi handle.

  that are used within the same multi handle.

  5.7 Link errors when building libcurl on Windows!

  5.7 Link errors when building libcurl on Windows!

  you want to change name resolver function you must rebuild libcurl and tell

  you want to change name resolver function you must rebuild libcurl and tell

  it to use a different function.

  it to use a different function.

  - The non-IPv6 resolver that can use one out of four host name resolve calls

  - The non-IPv6 resolver that can use one of four different host name resolve 

    (depending on what your system supports):

  calls (depending on what your system supports):

      A - gethostbyname()

      A - gethostbyname()

      B - gethostbyname_r() with 3 arguments

      B - gethostbyname_r() with 3 arguments

  5.12 Can I make libcurl fake or hide my real IP address?

  5.12 Can I make libcurl fake or hide my real IP address?

  No. libcurl operates on a higher level. Besides, faking IP address would

  No. libcurl operates on a higher level. Besides, faking IP address would

  imply sending IP packet with a made-up source address, and then you normally

  imply sending IP packets with a made-up source address, and then you normally

  get a problem with receiving the packet sent back as they would then not be

  get a problem with receiving the packet sent back as they would then not be

  routed to you!

  routed to you!

  libcurl is a C library, it doesn't know anything about C++ member functions.

  libcurl is a C library, it doesn't know anything about C++ member functions.

  You can overcome this "limitation" with a relative ease using a static

  You can overcome this "limitation" with relative ease using a static

  member function that is passed a pointer to the class:

  member function that is passed a pointer to the class:

     // f is the pointer to your object.

     // f is the pointer to your object.

  Each mailing list is targeted to a specific set of users and subjects,

  Each mailing list is targeted to a specific set of users and subjects,

  please use the one or the ones that suit you the most.

  please use the one or the ones that suit you the most.

  Each mailing list have hundreds up to thousands of readers, meaning that

  Each mailing list has hundreds up to thousands of readers, meaning that

  each mail sent will be received and read by a very large amount of people.

  each mail sent will be received and read by a very large number of people.

  People from various cultures, regions, religions and continents.

  People from various cultures, regions, religions and continents.

  1.2 Netiquette

  1.2 Netiquette

  Netiquette is a common name for how to behave on the internet. Of course, in

  Netiquette is a common term for how to behave on the internet. Of course, in

  each particular group and subculture there will be differences in what is

  each particular group and subculture there will be differences in what is

  acceptable and what is considered good manners.

  acceptable and what is considered good manners.

  This document outlines what we in the curl project considers to be good

  This document outlines what we in the curl project consider to be good

  etiquette, and primarily this focus on how to behave on and how to use our

  etiquette, and primarily this focus on how to behave on and how to use our

  mailing lists.

  mailing lists.

  Many people send one question to one person. One person gets many mails, and

  Many people send one question to one person. One person gets many mails, and

  there is only one person who can give you a reply. The question may be

  there is only one person who can give you a reply. The question may be

  something that other people are also wanting to ask. These other people have

  something that other people would also like to ask. These other people have

  no way to read the reply, but to ask the one person the question. The one

  no way to read the reply, but to ask the one person the question. The one

  person consequently gets overloaded with mail.

  person consequently gets overloaded with mail.

  1.5 Moderation of new posters

  1.5 Moderation of new posters

  Several of the curl mailing lists automatically make all posts from new

  Several of the curl mailing lists automatically make all posts from new

  subscribers require moderation. This means that after you've subscribed and

  subscribers be moderated. This means that after you've subscribed and

  send your first mail to a list, that mail will not be let through to the

  sent your first mail to a list, that mail will not be let through to the

  list until a mailing list administrator has verified that it is OK and

  list until a mailing list administrator has verified that it is OK and

  permits it to get posted.

  permits it to get posted.

  messages"

  messages"

  No matter what, we NEVER EVER respond to trolls or spammers on the list. If

  No matter what, we NEVER EVER respond to trolls or spammers on the list. If

  you believe the list admin should do something particular, contact him/her

  you believe the list admin should do something in particular, contact him/her

  off-list. The subject will be taken care of as good as possible to prevent

  off-list. The subject will be taken care of as much as possible to prevent

  repeated offenses, but responding on the list to such messages never lead to

  repeated offenses, but responding on the list to such messages never leads to

  anything good and only puts the light even more on the offender: which was

  anything good and only puts the light even more on the offender: which was

  the entire purpose of it getting sent to the list in the first place.

  the entire purpose of it getting sent to the list in the first place.

  1.7 How to unsubscribe

  1.7 How to unsubscribe

  You unsubscribe the same way you subscribed in the first place. You go to

  You can unsubscribe the same way you subscribed in the first place. You go

  the page for the particular mailing list you're subscribed to and you enter

  to the page for the particular mailing list you're subscribed to and you enter

  your email address and password and press the unsubscribe button.

  your email address and password and press the unsubscribe button.

  Also, this information is included in the headers of every mail that is sent

  Also, the instructions to unsubscribe are included in the headers of every 

  out to all curl related mailing lists and there's a footer in each mail that

  mail that is sent out to all curl related mailing lists and there's a footer 

  links to the "admin" page on which you can unsubscribe and change other

  in each mail that links to the "admin" page on which you can unsubscribe and 

  options.

  change other options.

  You NEVER EVER email the mailing list requesting someone else to get you off

  You NEVER EVER email the mailing list requesting someone else to take you off

  the list.

  the list.

  1.8 I posted, now what?

  1.8 I posted, now what?

  send the email, your post will just be silently discarded.

  send the email, your post will just be silently discarded.

  If you posted for the first time to the mailing list, you first need to wait

  If you posted for the first time to the mailing list, you first need to wait

  for an administrator to allow your email to go through. This normally

  for an administrator to allow your email to go through (moderated). This normally

  happens very quickly but in case we're asleep, you may have to wait a few

  happens very quickly but in case we're asleep, you may have to wait a few

  hours.

  hours.

  Once your email goes through it is sent out to several hundred or even

  Once your email goes through it is sent out to several hundred or even

  thousand recipients.  Your email may cover an area that not that many people

  thousands of recipients.  Your email may cover an area that not that many people

  know about or are interested in. Or possibly the person who knows about it

  know about or are interested in. Or possibly the person who knows about it

  is on vacation or under a very heavy work load right now. You have to wait

  is on vacation or under a very heavy work load right now. You may have to wait

  for a response and you must not expect to get a response at all, but

  for a response and you should not expect to get a response at all, but

  hopefully you get an answer within a couple of days.

  hopefully you get an answer within a couple of days.

  You do yourself and all of us a service when you include as many details as

  You do yourself and all of us a service when you include as many details as

  possible already in your first email. Mention your operating system and

  possible already in your first email. Mention your operating system and

  environment. Tell us which curl version you're using and tell us what you

  environment. Tell us which curl version you're using and tell us what you

  did, what happened and what you expected would happen. Preferably, show us

  did, what happened and what you expected would happen. Preferably, show us

  what you did in details enough to allow others to help point out the problem

  what you did with details enough to allow others to help point out the problem

  or repeat the same steps in their places.

  or repeat the same steps in their locations.

  Failing to include details will only delay responses and make people respond

  Failing to include details will only delay responses and make people respond

  and ask for the details and you have to send a follow-up email that includes

  and ask for more details and you will have to send a follow-up email that 

  them.

  includes them.

  Expect the responses to primarily help YOU debug the issue, or ask you

  Expect the responses to primarily help YOU debug the issue, or ask YOU

  questions that can lead you or others towards a solution or explanation to

  questions that can lead you or others towards a solution or explanation to

  whatever you experience.

  whatever you experience.

  If you are a repeat offender to the guidelines outlined in this document,

  If you are a repeat offender to the guidelines outlined in this document,

  chances are that people will ignore you at will and your chances to get

  chances are that people will ignore you at will and your chances to get

  responses will greatly diminish.

  responses in the future will greatly diminish.

2. Sending mail

2. Sending mail

  We're actively discouraging replying back to the single person by setting

  We're actively discouraging replying back to the single person by setting

  the Reply-To: field in outgoing mails back to the mailing list address,

  the Reply-To: field in outgoing mails back to the mailing list address,

  making it harder for people to mail the author only by mistake.

  making it harder for people to mail the author directly, if only by mistake.

  2.3 Use a Sensible Subject

  2.3 Use a Sensible Subject

  mail conversation below. It forces users to read the mail in a backwards

  mail conversation below. It forces users to read the mail in a backwards

  order to properly understand it.

  order to properly understand it.

  This is why top posting is so bad:

  This is why top posting is so bad (in top posting order):

      A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.

      A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.

      Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?

      Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?

  If you are the one who asks, please consider responding once more in case

  If you are the one who asks, please consider responding once more in case

  one of the hints was what solved your problems. The guys who write answers

  one of the hints was what solved your problems. The guys who write answers

  feel good to know that they provided a good answer and that you fixed the

  feel good to know that they provided a good answer and that you fixed the

  problem. Far too often, the person who asked the question is never heard of

  problem. Far too often, the person who asked the question is never heard from

  again, and we never get to know if he/she is gone because the problem was

  again, and we never get to know if he/she is gone because the problem was

  solved or perhaps because the problem was unsolvable!

  solved or perhaps because the problem was unsolvable!