What is the WordPress HTTP API and what advantage does using `wp_remote_get()` have over PHP’s `file_get_contents()` or cURL?

Question

WordPress Fundamental — Hard

What is the WordPress HTTP API and what advantage does using `wp_remote_get()` have over PHP’s `file_get_contents()` or cURL?

Accepted Answer

Using `wp_remote_get()` over PHP's `file_get_contents()` or cURL is advantageous because the WordPress HTTP API provides a unified interface that automatically selects the best available HTTP transport, handles SSL certificates, respects WordPress proxy settings, supports timeout configuration, and returns a standardized response array — ensuring code portability.