Fetch data over the web: curl, file_get_contents or something else?

Question

I've written quite a few extensions that need a way to fetch data from the web. Sometimes I've used file_get_contents sometimes cURL, other times I've sucked in (geddit!) Guzzle. Each of those has it's own requirements.

Just want to check that CiviCRM does not offer a service/wrapper for this that knows what is available? What's recommended?

Answer 1

CiviCRM core has bundled in Guzzle for a few years now (this was an old issue that got highlighted just now) - so Guzzle is the recommended approach

Answer 2

EDIT: See Eileen's updated answer above, this is now outdated.

As of 2021 CiviCRM bundles Guzzle!

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I'm unsure what's recommended, but there are several patterns (at least) through the codebase:

• CRM_Utils_HttpClient, used in core functionality like system checks. This has test coverage!
• PHP curl, common in the payment processors.
• PEAR HTTP_Request, in older code like geocoders.
• Occasionally file_get_contents() to switch things up for fun?