Often we need good software for FTP. Those who have created websites may already be familiar with FTP. For those to whom this sounds new, to put it briefly, FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. This is one of the oldest methods for transferring files over the internet. It’s worth mentioning that in the beginning, FTP was used through the command line (somewhat like DOS, where you had to type commands). Although it’s still possible to use those commands, since we often need to transfer many files at once, it’s much easier to use software rather than just commands. And if you need to update an entire site, software becomes absolutely necessary. Software that can transfer files to and from a server via FTP is called FTP client software. There are countless FTP programs on the market—some are free, and others are paid. Popular ones include Cute FTP, WS FTP, and so on. Today, though, I want to introduce you to a new FTP client that I personally use and find very convenient: SmartFTP from Switzerland’s SmartFTP GmbH. The best part is, the software is free. Some of its features are listed below:
• Works with secure connections (known as TLS or SSL).
• Supports the new IPv6.
• Can send files with compression. This feature is known as On-the-fly Compression (MODE Z). It’s very handy for those who update websites via FTP.
• Supports Unicode. So if your file names are in Bangla Unicode, there’s no problem.
• Integrates with Explorer so you can drag and drop files.
• Multiple simultaneous connections for faster performance.
• Automatic reconnection. If the connection drops during transfer, it will automatically reconnect or let you resume.
• Remote editing capability. You can directly edit parts of your website files, so you don’t have to download, edit, and re-upload.
• Also works via the command line.
• You can schedule file transfers.
The main advantage I personally get from this software is the scheduling feature mentioned last. Before I go to sleep, I run it to update my whole site, and with a command in SmartFTP, I tell it to automatically shut down my computer after all tasks are complete. As a result, I don’t have to worry about when the transfer will finish or when to disconnect the internet. I hope you also enjoy using it.
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