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You are here: manpages

CURLOPT_CUSTOMREQUEST

Section: curl_easy_setopt options (3)
Updated: June 21, 2017
Index Return to Main Contents

NAME

CURLOPT_CUSTOMREQUEST - custom string for request

SYNOPSIS

#include <curl/curl.h>

CURLcode curl_easy_setopt(CURL *handle, CURLOPT_CUSTOMREQUEST, char *request);

DESCRIPTION

Pass a pointer to a zero terminated string as parameter.

When you change the request method by setting CURLOPT_CUSTOMREQUEST(3) to something, you don't actually change how libcurl behaves or acts in regards to the particular request method, it will only change the actual string sent in the request.

Restore to the internal default by setting this to NULL.

This option can be used to specify the request:

HTTP

Instead of GET or HEAD when performing HTTP based requests. This is particularly useful, for example, for performing a HTTP DELETE request.

For example:

When you tell libcurl to do a HEAD request, but then specify a GET though a custom request libcurl will still act as if it sent a HEAD. To switch to a proper HEAD use CURLOPT_NOBODY(3), to switch to a proper POST use CURLOPT_POST(3) or CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS(3) and to switch to a proper GET use CURLOPT_HTTPGET(3).

Many people have wrongly used this option to replace the entire request with their own, including multiple headers and POST contents. While that might work in many cases, it will cause libcurl to send invalid requests and it could possibly confuse the remote server badly. Use CURLOPT_POST(3) and CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS(3) to set POST data. Use CURLOPT_HTTPHEADER(3) to replace or extend the set of headers sent by libcurl. Use CURLOPT_HTTP_VERSION(3) to change HTTP version.

FTP

Instead of LIST and NLST when performing FTP directory listings.

IMAP

Instead of LIST when issuing IMAP based requests.

POP3

Instead of LIST and RETR when issuing POP3 based requests.

For example:

When you tell libcurl to use a custom request it will behave like a LIST or RETR command was sent where it expects data to be returned by the server. As such CURLOPT_NOBODY(3) should be used when specifying commands such as DELE and NOOP for example.

SMTP

Instead of a HELP or VRFY when issuing SMTP based requests.

For example:

Normally a multiline response is returned which can be used, in conjunction with CURLOPT_MAIL_RCPT(3), to specify an EXPN request. If the CURLOPT_NOBODY(3) option is specified then the request can be used to issue NOOP and RSET commands.

The application does not have to keep the string around after setting this option.

DEFAULT

NULL

PROTOCOLS

HTTP, FTP, IMAP, POP3 and SMTP

EXAMPLE

CURL *curl = curl_easy_init();
if(curl) {
  curl_easy_setopt(curl, CURLOPT_URL, "http://example.com/foo.bin");

  /* DELETE the given path */
  curl_easy_setopt(curl, CURLOPT_CUSTOMREQUEST, "DELETE");

  ret = curl_easy_perform(curl);

  curl_easy_cleanup(curl);
}