Posting a file from command line

axl163 has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hi Perl Monks,

I have asked many questions in the past but I think this is my silliest one yet. I am trying to figure out how I can post a file from a command line script to a php file on another server without the use of a browser. I have done many web forms in my lifetime that does this using CGI where you press submit and all of it is taken care of. I have tried Googling all different types of phrases but to no avail. I don't even know where to begin. Can someone point me in the right direction? I don't know if this will make a difference but I would like to post an xml file.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Perl newb

Comment on Posting a file from command line

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Re: Posting a file from command line by Joost (Canon) on Nov 01, 2007 at 01:14 UTC
You can use WWW::Mechanize. According to the docs, you should be able to just get() the upload form, fill in the input value() (i.e. the file's path) and submit(). "What should it profit a man, if he should win a flame war, yet lose his cool?"	[reply]
Re: Posting a file from command line by TOD (Friar) on Nov 01, 2007 at 01:12 UTC
if you have the LWP module(s) installed you will find a POST executable located at /usr/bin, together with a manpage. `perl -MCPAN -e 'install LWP'` [download] -------------------------------- masses are the opiate for religion.	[reply] [d/l]
Re^2: Posting a file from command line by Fletch (Bishop) on Nov 01, 2007 at 14:44 UTC
Probably, unless the machine in question uses a case insensitive filesystem (one of OS X's remaining big warts) and a paranoid admin didn't install the `POST` et al aliases because they didn't want `/usr/bin/head` clobbered by `HEAD`. However you should have `lwp-request` which is the same script but it uses `-m method` to determine what method to use rather than the name it is called as. We're looking for a Perl and Database Developer for Corporate Investments Group.	[reply]
Re: Posting a file from command line by leighsharpe (Monk) on Nov 01, 2007 at 05:35 UTC
Use wget and --post-file? No perl needed </blasphemy>	[reply]
Re: Posting a file from command line by axl163 (Scribe) on Nov 01, 2007 at 15:29 UTC
Thanks for all your suggestions. I will let you know how this turns out.	[reply]
Re: Posting a file from command line by axl163 (Scribe) on Nov 02, 2007 at 21:38 UTC
Hi, I finally went with the LWP post. I had no idea it was that easy. The Mechanize package looked really cool and that is something I might use for the future. Thanks again for all your help.	[reply]