How to use the command 'surfraw' (with examples)

Surfraw (Shell Users’ Revolutionary Front Rage Against the Web) is a command-line tool that streamlines online searches by querying a variety of web search engines directly from your terminal. It is especially useful for users who prefer navigating the web using command-line interfaces instead of graphical web browsers. Surfraw consists of individual search scripts called “elvi” that allow users to interact with and search specific websites seamlessly.

Use case 1: Display the list of supported website search scripts (elvi)

Code:

surfraw -elvi

Motivation:

When starting with Surfraw, it’s important to know which websites you can search using the tool. Displaying a list of all supported elvi helps users understand the breadth of the tool’s capabilities. By examining this list, users can quickly identify if their desired search engine or website is supported, which is crucial for choosing the right tool for their search needs.

Explanation:

• surfraw: This is the command to invoke the Surfraw tool.
• -elvi: This option lists all available elvi, which are search scripts that allow users to perform targeted searches on designated websites.

Example Output:

acronym       -- Search acronymfinder.com
amazon       -- Search amazon.com
google        -- Search Google
wikipedia     -- Search Wikipedia
...

Use case 2: Open the elvi’s results page for a specific search in the browser

Code:

surfraw google "open source software"

Motivation:

Often, users want quick access to search results without requiring intermediary steps such as opening a browser and entering search terms manually. Surfraw’s ability to conduct a search and automatically open the results in a browser saves time and increases efficiency, making it an attractive choice for users who want rapid access to information.

Explanation:

• surfraw: Invokes the Surfraw tool.
• google: Specifies the google elvi script to search Google for the given terms.
• "open source software": The search query enclosed in quotes, ensuring it’s passed as a single argument.

Example Output:

The user’s default web browser opens to the Google search results page for “open source software.”

Use case 3: Display an elvi description and its specific options

Code:

surfraw google -local-help

Motivation:

Users might want detailed information about a specific elvi, including its description and usage options, without referring to external documentation. This is particularly helpful for configuring search parameters or understanding the capabilities and constraints of a specific elvi before using it.

Explanation:

• surfraw: The primary command for Surfraw.
• google: The elvi to be explored, namely Google in this case.
• -local-help: This option provides a local help description, listing options and other relevant information specific to the google elvi.

Example Output:

Google: Search Google from the command line.
Options: none

Use case 4: Search using an elvi with specific options and open the results page in the browser

Code:

surfraw google -news "technology updates"

Motivation:

Sometimes, users need tailored search parameters to refine their results further. In such scenarios, using Surfraw with specific elvi options enhances search precision by directly targeting specific search result categories, like news articles, without additional browser navigation.

Explanation:

• surfraw: The command to access Surfraw.
• google: The specified elvi for Google’s search services.
• -news: A hypothetical option denoting that the search should focus on Google News.
• "technology updates": The specific search terms, indicating the user’s interest.

Example Output:

The user’s web browser opens Google News with search results for “technology updates.”

Use case 5: Display the URL to the elvi’s results page for a specific search

Code:

surfraw -print google "latest tech trends"

Motivation:

In some cases, a user may wish to see or share the URL of search results without immediately opening it in a browser. Surfraw’s -print option allows users to obtain the direct URL to the search results, which can be used for sharing or bookmarking purposes.

Explanation:

• surfraw: This initiates the Surfraw tool.
• -print: This option outputs the search URL to the terminal instead of opening it in a browser.
• google: Specifies the choice of google as the search service.
• "latest tech trends": The search query, enclosed in quotes.

Example Output:

https://www.google.com/search?q=latest+tech+trends

Use case 6: Search using the alias

Code:

sr google "machine learning applications"

Motivation:

When frequently using Surfraw, command aliases improve workflow efficiency by reducing typing effort. The sr alias exemplifies how users can simplify the command entry, speeding up the search initiation process when using elvi.

Explanation:

• sr: An alias for the full surfraw command created for convenience.
• google: The chosen elvi for Google’s search engine.
• "machine learning applications": Search terms as a quoted string to ensure accurate query handling.

Example Output:

The results for “machine learning applications” are opened in the default web browser on Google.

Conclusion:

Surfraw is a versatile command-line utility for performing efficient web searches by leveraging specific scripts known as elvi. By understanding and utilizing Surfraw’s diverse options, such as listing supported scripts, creating targeted searches, offering detailed elvi help, and employing URL output, users can effectively streamline their internet inquiries directly from the terminal. This guide illustrates the power and flexibility Surfraw offers its users through practical examples, highlighting how to make the most out of each use case.