curl_easy_cleanup

Section: libcurl Manual (3)
Updated: November 04, 2020
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NAME

curl_easy_cleanup - End a libcurl easy handle

SYNOPSIS

#include <curl/curl.h>

void curl_easy_cleanup(CURL *handle);

DESCRIPTION

This function must be the last function to call for an easy session. It is the opposite of the curl_easy_init(3) function and must be called with the same handle as input that a curl_easy_init(3) call returned.

This might close all connections this handle has used and possibly has kept open until now - unless it was attached to a multi handle while doing the transfers. Don't call this function if you intend to transfer more files, re-using handles is a key to good performance with libcurl.

Occasionally you may get your progress callback or header callback called from within curl_easy_cleanup(3) (if previously set for the handle using curl_easy_setopt(3)). Like if libcurl decides to shut down the connection and the protocol is of a kind that requires a command/response sequence before disconnect. Examples of such protocols are FTP, POP3 and IMAP.

Any use of the handle after this function has been called and have returned, is illegal. curl_easy_cleanup(3) kills the handle and all memory associated with it!

Passing in a NULL pointer in handle will make this function return immediately with no action.

OLD TIMES

For libcurl versions before 7.17,: after you've called this function, you can safely remove all the strings you've previously told libcurl to use, as it won't use them anymore now.

RETURN VALUE

None

EXAMPLE

CURL *curl = curl_easy_init();
if(curl) {
  CURLcode res;
  curl_easy_setopt(curl, CURLOPT_URL, "https://example.com");
  res = curl_easy_perform(curl);
  curl_easy_cleanup(curl);
}