Which is best in Python: urllib2, PycURL or mechanize?

Question

Ok so I need to download some web pages using Python and did a quick investigation of my options.

Included with Python:

urllib - seems to me that I should use ur

Answer 1

Don't worry about "last updated". HTTP hasn't changed much in the last few years ;)

urllib2 is best (as it's inbuilt), then switch to mechanize if you need cookies from Firefox. mechanize can be used as a drop-in replacement for urllib2 - they have similar methods etc. Using Firefox cookies means you can get things from sites (like say StackOverflow) using your personal login credentials. Just be responsible with your number of requests (or you'll get blocked).

PycURL is for people who need all the low level stuff in libcurl. I would try the other libraries first.