Using WGET with HTTP GET Parameters

WGET is a simple tool that is usually on a lot of shell boxes. I think it might be installed by default on Linux. Sometimes you have to get it installed by your admin.

At any rate, it’s useful for downloading a resource from a simple web service like so:

wget http://www.asdf.com/jkl.html

You can even attach parameters to it

wget http://www.google.com/search?q=asdf

Just be sure that if you attach two or more parameters, you enclose the command in quotes; otherwise the shell thinks the command ends at the ampersand and your request won’t go through correctly.

wget "http://www.imf.org/external/np/fin/data/rms_mth.aspx?SelectDate=2008-09-30&reportType=SDRCV"