Hey,
> So, if I compile PHP with SSL support or use the inbuilt cURL options. I
> assume that cURL when compiled beforehand still needs the ssl support
> itself?
Correct, curl needs to be able to operate with SSL support.

> What the other catches to calling cURL outside of PHP? Functions, speed,
> ram, security, features, flexibility??

Flexibility: moreso than the PHP module. I have found that the PHP
version is quite buggy
and doesnt support all of the latest features. You can still use all the
features available
as all you are doing is calling curl directly via than through the
inbuilt PHP support

Security: As long as you use the relevant safety precautions escapeshellcmd()
the comamnd is performed by the webserver user (usually nobody)

Speedwise I would say it is slightly faster, less overhead than using
the PHP inbuilt,
not noticable thou ;)

Have a look at PHP functions such as system(), exec() etc. Check out
curls commandline functions, and have a play... try something like this
simple example..

exec($curl_path.$cmdline_params,$results,$return);
if($return) {
   echo "Error: cURL could not retrieve the document, error $return.";

} else {
  // Do something to the results...
}

Play around with it and see if it suits your needs :)

Mark

-- 
<? print(pack("c*", 74,117,115,116,32,65,110,111,
                    116,104,101,114,32,80,72 ,80,
                    32,72,97,99,107,101,114,46,10)); ?>
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