Open PDF as BASH Variable on macOS

bashcommand linemacmacbook promacos

I'm trying to open a PDF using Preview where the input file is a shell var:

$ pdf=$(wget -qO- 'http://website.com/file.pdf') && open "$pdf"

$ pdf=$(wget -qO- 'http://website.com/file.pdf') && open -a /Applications/Preview.app -f "$pdf"

$ open -a /Applications/Preview.app $(wget -qO- 'http://website.com/file.pdf')

$ pdf=$(wget -qO- 'http://website.com/file.pdf') | open -a /Applications/Preview.app -f -

etc etc etc

I always get the same error:

-bash: /usr/bin/open: Argument list too long

Is it possible to do this?

example PDF for anyone who wants to try:

https://www.exploit-db.com/docs/english/44592-linux-restricted-shell-bypass-guide.pdf

Best Answer

Cool problem showing how amazing bash, pipes and open are. You are so close on the fourth try:

wget -qO- 'https://www.com/big.pdf' | open -f -a Preview.app

Luckily the -a argument lets the -f take the data from stdin but not open in TextEdit.

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