How to Use the Command 'gdown' (with Examples)

The gdown command-line tool specializes in downloading files from Google Drive and other URLs with ease. This tool is particularly useful when you want to automate or script the process of retrieving files from Google Drive, which can often be cumbersome due to its non-direct download links. Additionally, gdown supports features such as handling Google Drive file IDs, fuzzy extraction of file IDs from shared links, and directly extracting tar archives. This makes it versatile for developers, data scientists, and anyone looking to streamline file downloading processes.

Use Case 1: Download a File from a URL

Code:

gdown url

Motivation: Often, files hosted on Google Drive or other platforms are shared via URLs. Using gdown, you can quickly download such files directly via their URLs without opening a browser and manually downloading them. This enhances productivity by automating the download process and is especially useful when managing multiple large files.

Explanation:

• gdown: The command to call the tool.
• url: The specific web address where the file is located. gdown accesses this address to retrieve and download the file.

Example Output:

• Upon executing the command, the tool downloads the file from the given URL. You’ll typically see progress details in the terminal, such as download percentage and speed. The file will be saved in the current directory unless specified otherwise.

Use Case 2: Download Using a File ID

Code:

gdown file_id

Motivation: Google Drive files often have unique IDs that can be used to access them directly. Using a file ID to download ensures you’re fetching the specific file intended, without needing a full URL. This is beneficial in streamlined scripts where URLs may change, but file IDs remain consistent.

Explanation:

• gdown: Initiates the download command.
• file_id: The unique identifier given to Google Drive files, which allows gdown to precisely pinpoint and download the desired file.

Example Output:

• With a successful command execution, the file associated with the given ID appears in your working directory. Progress indicators are shown in the terminal during the download process.

Use Case 3: Download with Fuzzy File ID Extraction

Code:

gdown --fuzzy url

Motivation: Many times, you may receive a shared Google Drive link that’s formatted in various ways. The fuzzy extraction feature of gdown allows it to intelligently extract the file ID from these various formats, ensuring download success even if the exact link is in a non-standard format.

Explanation:

• gdown: Invokes the tool.
• --fuzzy: This option directs gdown to intelligently extract and utilize the file ID from within a potentially complex URL.
• url: The link from which gdown should try to extract a file ID.

Example Output:

• After processing the URL, gdown will extract the necessary file ID and download the file. The user will witness the downloading process in the terminal with relevant details like speed and progress.

Use Case 4: Download a Folder Using Its ID or Full URL

Code:

gdown folder_id|url -O path/to/output_directory --folder

Motivation: Managing numerous files within a Google Drive folder can be tasking. Using gdown, you can download entire folders at once, either by providing the folder’s unique ID or its shared URL. This is extremely advantageous for batch processing or backups.

Explanation:

• gdown: Initiates the tool.
• folder_id|url: Either the unique folder ID or the full URL to the folder for download.
• -O path/to/output_directory: Specifies the output directory where the folder content should be downloaded.
• --folder: Indicates that the link or ID provided corresponds to a folder, prompting gdown to download it recursively.

Example Output:

• When executed correctly, the folder contents will be downloaded to the specified directory, mimicking the structure found in Google Drive.

Use Case 5: Download a Tar Archive, Write it to stdout, and Extract it

Code:

gdown tar_url -O - --quiet | tar xvf -

Motivation: Sometimes data comes in compressed formats like tar archives. With this command, you can download, decompress, and extract files in one seamless step, streamlining workflows by removing the need for multiple commands or manual intervention.

Explanation:

• gdown: Kicks off the download.
• tar_url: The URL of the tar archive.
• -O -: Directs gdown to output the downloaded tar file to standard output.
• --quiet: Suppresses unnecessary output, making the operation cleaner.
• | tar xvf -: Pipes the output to the tar command which extracts the contents of the archive.

Example Output:

• The tar archive is downloaded, and its content is extracted immediately into your current working directory. The sequence is efficient, reducing processing time for decompression and extraction.

Conclusion:

The gdown tool is an exceptional utility for efficiently downloading files from Google Drive and other sources. Each use case highlights its adaptability and efficacy across different download scenarios, catering particularly to the needs of those who work with online data storage platforms regularly. Whether you’re downloading individual files or entire directories, gdown simplifies the process significantly.