Generally, file sharing involves logging into a storage provider, manually locating the file, and uploading it via the graphical user interface of a web browser or awarding. While the time wasted during these intermediate steps may non seem like much, it keeps on calculation upward every fourth dimension you wish to upload or share a file.

Simply sharing files doesn't have to exist tedious anymore. With the Linux terminal, you tin can practise this in a jiffy. Thanks to tools liketransfer.sh, all information technology takes is a simple control on your terminal to upload a file.

What Is Transfer.sh?

Transfer.sh is a gratis platform that enables easy and fast file sharing via the Linux shell. Uploading a file is as uncomplicated as running a cURL command or a crush function with the file y'all want to upload equally the parameter. Y'all can also utilise these commands on Windows 10 by running a Linux bash shell on it.

Here are some significant features that transfer.sh offers:

  • Requires no GUI, uses the command line.
  • Upload files with sizes upward to 10GB.
  • Files are simply stored for fourteen days.
  • Optionally encrypt the files with GPG earlier transfer.
  • Limit the number of downloads and days for which the file will be available.

Uploading a File via cURL

Client URL (roll) is a command-line tool used for transferring data to and from a server, using various network protocols. Uploading a file via cURL and transfer.sh is a straightforward process. All y'all have to do is open upward your Linux terminal and use the post-obit syntax to upload a file:

          curl --upload-file <path-to-file> https://transfer.sh

In the above command, make sure to supervene upon<path-to-file>with the actual path of the file y'all want to upload.

Uploading a file via transfer.sh

On running the command, y'all'll get a URL that you tin share with other people for them to download your uploaded file.

transfer.sh download page

You lot can tweak the above command to change the proper name and extension of the uploaded file in this mode:

          curl --upload-file <path-to-file> https://transfer.sh/<file_name.extension>
Uploading a file with different name and extension

In the above example, roll renamed the filehello.txt totest.md before uploading. On visiting the download link, y'all'll be prompted to download theexam.doctor file instead of the original file.

Moreover, you tin can even prepare the maximum number of downloads allowed and the maximum number of days for which the file will exist downloadable by adding some headers to the cURL command. Here's an instance that illustrates this feature:

transfer.sh limiting downloads and days

Hither, the whorl command consists of ii HTTP headers:Max-Downloads andMax-Days. You tin change the value after the colons as per your requirements.

Uploading via Shell Function

Although the curlicue control is pretty simple, you lot tin can take it a step further and make information technology even easier past creating a beat function. You can then use this shell function to substitute the whole scroll command with a single word.

To get started, navigate to the /dwelling house directory on your Linux machine and open the.bashrcor.zshrc file depending on the beat out you use. Feel free to use any Linux text editor of your preference. Paste the vanquish role given beneath to the end of the file and relieve information technology one time washed.

          transfer(){ if [ $# -eq 0 ];so echo "No arguments specified.
Usage:
            transfer <file|directory>
            ... | transfer <file_name>">&2;return ane;fi;if tty -south;so file="$i";file_name=$(basename "$file");if [ ! -due east "$file" ];then echo "$file: No such file or directory">&ii;render 1;fi;if [ -d "$file" ];and so file_name="$file_name.nothing" ,;(cd "$file"&&cypher -r -q - .)|curl --progress-bar --upload-file "-" "https://transfer.sh/$file_name"|tee /dev/null,;else cat "$file"|curl --progress-bar --upload-file "-" "https://transfer.sh/$file_name"|tee /dev/null;fi;else file_name=$1;whorl --progress-bar --upload-file "-" "https://transfer.sh/$file_name"|tee /dev/null;fi;}

For the vanquish function to work, yous will have to close the existing terminal instances and start a new one. Alternatively, you tin runsource ~/.bashrc if you use the bash crush, orsource ~/.zshrc if you utilize the Z shell. Now, you tin can upload files using thetransfer command from your Linux final.

Shell function for transfer.sh

File Sharing Made Like shooting fish in a barrel on Linux

While transfer.sh is a great utility for obtaining a sharable download URL for your files, it isn't an culling for replacing your cloud storage entirely. It is exceptional for sharing your files temporarily equally it only stores your files for xiv days maximum.

For longer-lasting personal storage, you tin lean towards deject storage providers. Don't worry. Many cloud service providers offer a complimentary tier that y'all tin use to decide whether you lot want to make the purchase.

The Best five Linux Cloud Storage Solutions in 2021

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Virtually The Writer

Nitin Ranganath (39 Articles Published)

Nitin is an gorging software developer and a computer applied science pupil developing web applications using JavaScript technologies. He works equally a freelance web developer and likes to write for Linux and Programming in his complimentary time.

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