Playwright simplifies the complex process of downloading files from the web, offering two distinct approaches for tackling this task. Users can either utilize the locator function to identify and click on the desired download button or link, or they can opt for an HTTP client like httpx or requests in Python for a more direct download method. These strategies ensure that whether you’re working on web scraping, automated testing, or data collection projects, you have the tools needed to download files efficiently and effectively. For those looking to further enhance their web automation capabilities, having a web scraping API can be a game-changer. Such APIs offer a more streamlined, powerful approach to web scraping, making it easier to retrieve the data you need without getting bogged down in the intricacies of web automation. This guide aims to provide you with a clear understanding of how to leverage Playwright’s file download capabilities alongside the robust features of a web scraping API, ensuring you can handle any web data extraction task with ease.
from pathlib import Path
from playwright.sync_api import sync_playwright
import httpx # or import requests
def download_file_with_playwright():
with sync_playwright() as pw:
browser = pw.chromium.launch(headless=False)
context = browser.new_context(viewport={"width": 1920, "height": 1080})
page = context.new_page()
page.goto('https://httpbin.dev/html')
# we can either click the download button using locator:
file = page.locator('a')
file.click()
# or we can download the file manually which is more flexible and faster
url = file.get_attribute('href')
response = httpx.get(url)
Path('file.txt').write_bytes(response.content)
By working together, these two methods provide a flexible and efficient approach to file downloading. For more information on web scraping and related topics, visit our homepage.