How to Unzip Files with cURL

Why Unzip Files with cURL?

The pdfRest Zip Files API Tool is a powerful resource for developers looking to manage and manipulate zip files programmatically. This tutorial will demonstrate how to send an API call to unzip files using cURL, a command-line tool for transferring data with URLs. By leveraging cURL, developers can automate the process of unzipping files directly from their applications or scripts, integrating seamlessly into their workflows.

A user might need to unzip files to extract specific documents or data for further processing. For example, a company receiving bulk data from clients might use the pdfRest Zip Files API to automatically unzip and process these files, saving time and reducing manual effort. This can be particularly useful for businesses that handle large volumes of data and need an efficient way to manage file extraction.

Unzip Files with cURL Code Example

curl -X POST "https://api.pdfrest.com/unzip" \
  -H "Accept: application/json" \
  -H "Content-Type: multipart/form-data" \
  -H "Api-Key: xxxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx" \
  -F "file=@/path/to/file" 

Source: GitHub

Breaking Down the Code

The provided cURL command is a POST request to the pdfRest API endpoint for unzipping files. Let's break down each part of the command:

curl -X POST "https://api.pdfrest.com/unzip"

This line specifies that the request is a POST request to the URL https://api.pdfrest.com/unzip, which is the endpoint for the unzip operation.

-H "Accept: application/json"

This header indicates that the client expects a JSON response from the server. JSON is a lightweight data interchange format that's easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate.

-H "Content-Type: multipart/form-data"

This header specifies that the request body is formatted as multipart/form-data. This is typically used for file uploads, allowing the client to send files and data in a single request.

-H "Api-Key: xxxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx"

The API key is used to authenticate the request with the pdfRest API. It should be replaced with your actual API key. This key is essential for accessing the API's functionalities securely.

-F "file=@/path/to/file"

This option uploads a file to the API. The '@' symbol indicates that the file is being uploaded from the local file system, and '/path/to/file' should be replaced with the actual path to the file you wish to unzip.

Beyond the Tutorial

This tutorial has shown how to use cURL to make an API call to the pdfRest Zip Files API, allowing you to unzip files programmatically. By understanding each part of the cURL command, you can effectively integrate this functionality into your applications.

To further explore the capabilities of pdfRest, you are encouraged to try out all the API Tools in the API Lab. For more detailed information on the API's capabilities, refer to the API Reference Guide.

Note: This example demonstrates a multipart API call. For code samples using JSON payloads, please visit GitHub.