VSI-AXPVMS-CURL-V0765-0E-1-RNOTES.PDF

This document details the cURL and libcURL implementation for OpenVMS I64 and Alpha, updated in April 2021. It describes cURL as a command-line tool and libcURL as an API for file transfers supporting various web protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, FTPS, LDAP, SFTP, and HTTP/2.

Key points:

• Version & Features: The release is based on Open Source 7.65.0, built with OpenSSL 1.1.1k, and introduces SFTP, HTTP/2, and LDAP (via OpenLDAP client API) support.
• GNV Compatibility: Users must choose between a VMSPORTS kit (for GNV installations) or a VSI kit (standalone for non-GNV systems); the two are incompatible and cannot be mixed.
• Requirements: OpenVMS 8.4-1H1 or later, and HP TCP/IP Services V5.7 or VSI TCP/IP. Developers using the API are expected to have a good understanding of OpenVMS development.
• Installation: The software is installed via an OpenVMS PCSI kit (PRODUCT INSTALL CURL).
• Post-Installation Steps:
  • For Users: Requires adding commands to SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM to define logical names (e.g., CURL$ROOT) and enable CURL as a foreign command for system-wide use. No special privileges are usually needed, though a high BYTLM quota may improve performance.
  • For Developers: Applications using the libcURL API need to include the CURL.H header. Developers can link with either the LIBCURL$SHR shareable image (which statically includes OpenSSL and ZLIB) or the LIBCURL.OLB object library (which then requires explicit linking to OpenSSL and ZLIB). Due to mixed-case symbols, the C compiler option /NAMES=(AS_IS,SHORTENED) or appropriate pragmas should be used.