Aria2p is a Python-based command-line client that allows users to interact with an aria2c daemon. While not an official client, aria2p provides a plethora of benefits, such as being open source and customizable, making it a popular choice for users seeking an alternative to official clients. This article aims to provide an in-depth look at aria2p, including its features, installation process, and how to use it, giving readers a better understanding of how to make the most of it.
What is aria2p?
Aria2p is a command-line client developed in Python that enables interaction with an aria2c daemon. Although not an official client, it offers prominent features and benefits compared to aria2c. One of the significant benefits is that aria2p supports multithreading, allowing simultaneous downloads. It’s lightweight, open-source, and provides a more manageable query system than aria2c, making it more user-friendly. Additionally, aria2p offers integration with Python libraries, enabling the automation and customization of downloads.
Comparatively, aria2c is a command-line executable provided by aria2, functioning as a daemon on the user’s device. Like aria2p, it offers multi-source downloading and can download files from HTTP, FTP, BitTorrent, and Metalink protocols. However, aria2c requires a more complex command line system compared to aria2p, making it more challenging for users without advanced knowledge of Terminal commands.
Getting Started with aria2p
Installation
Installing aria2p can be done through various methods. Users can install via the Python Package Index (PyPI) using package managers such as pip or through source code on GitHub. To install via pip, simply run the following command: python3.6 -m pip install aria2p[tui].
For Windows users, you may need to install additional dependencies such as visual C++ redistributable package for visual studio for the TUI graphics to work. Mac users can simply use Homebrew by running brew install aria2 which will install aria2 and its dependencies. Linux users can also use their distribution’s package manager to install aria2.
Configuration
The default configuration of aria2p works well for most users, but it can be customized to fit specific needs. In order to customize the configuration, users can edit the aria2.conf file which is usually located in the ~/.config/aria2 directory.
There are numerous configuration options available in aria2p such as bandwidth allocation, file naming, and download queues. One of the most important configuration options is enabling RPC mode which allows for remote control of the aria2c daemon. To enable RPC mode, users can add the following lines to their aria2.conf file:
| rpc-listen-port=6800 | rpc-listen-all=true | rpc-allow-origin-all=true | enable-rpc=true |
This will allow aria2c to act as a daemon and allow clients like aria2p to interact with it. For more information on configuration options, users can refer to the official aria2 documentation.
Using aria2p
Basic Commands
aria2p is a command-line client designed to interact with an aria2c daemon. With its simple commands, users can easily add and download files, as well as manage the file download progress.
The following are some basic commands for using aria2p:
- add: This command is used to add a new file or URL for download. An example command is aria2p add example.com/file.mp3
- add-magnets: This command is used specifically for adding magnet links into the download queue. An example command is aria2p add-magnets magnet:?xt=urn:btih:HASHCODE
- add-metalinks: This command is used to add metalinks for download. An example command is aria2p add-metalinks file.metalink
- add-torrents: This command is for adding .torrent files for download. An example command is aria2p add-torrents path/to/file.torrent
- autopurge: This command allows users to automatically delete finished downloads. An example command is aria2p autopurge 1 which deletes downloads that have completed over an hour ago.
- call: This command is used to directly call Aria2c API methods.
Advanced Features
Multi-Source Downloads
Multi-source downloads allow users to download a single file from multiple sources simultaneously. This feature helps to speed up downloads and minimize the download time. By default, aria2p will always download using multi-source if the server allows it. To force the multi-source download, the command –max-connection-per-server=x can be used. An example command is aria2p –max-connection-per-server=5 example.com/file.mp3.
Batch Downloads
Batch download feature allows users to download multiple files easily. By adding multiple URLs into a batch file, aria2p can download multiple files at the same time. An example command is aria2p -i /path/to/urls.txt.
With these basic commands and advanced features, aria2p offers a convenient and efficient way for users to download files through command-line interface.
aria2p Integration
Web UI
aria2p comes with a user-friendly web interface that allows easy and convenient interactions with aria2c daemon. With this open-source frontend, users can manage their downloads without the need for a command-line interface. The web UI also offers a variety of customization options, including the ability to choose the download directory and bandwidth usage. Here’s an example on how to use aria2p web UI:
Programmatic Access
aria2p can also be used programmatically through JSON-RPC interface. This can be done by sending HTTPS requests to the server that is running the aria2c daemon. JSON-RPC allows developers to access aria2p functionality while writing code in any language – not just Python. Here is an example on how to use aria2p with JSON-RPC for programmatic access:
Performance Comparison
When it comes to download utilities, aria2p stands out with its efficient performance. It can handle multiple downloads simultaneously, making it faster than most other download managers. Compared to other Python packages that allow interaction with an aria2c daemon, aria2p has better speed and stability.
Factors that affect download speed include internet connection, network traffic, and server load. However, aria2p has the ability to split files into separate chunks to maximize download speed. The software also supports download acceleration through segmented downloading.
Compared to other download managers, aria2p has fewer dependencies and is relatively lightweight. This makes it a great choice for users looking for a fast, efficient, and streamlined download manager.
Conclusion
Overall, using aria2p can greatly benefit those looking for faster and more efficient downloads. With its ability to interact with an aria2c daemon and its various commands such as add, autopurge, and call, aria2p offers a versatile and user-friendly experience. Additionally, Aria2 WebUI provides an open source web frontend for an even more accessible and streamlined experience. Give aria2p a try and see how it can improve your downloading process.
