Slash is a command line tool that scrapes the most popular e-commerce websites to get the best deals on the searched items across these websites.
- Fast: With slash, you can save over 50% of your time by comparing deals across websites within seconds
- Easy: Slash uses very easy commands to filter, sort and search your items
- Powerful: Quickly alter the commands to get desired results
Installation :: Flags & Args :: Whats new in Phase 2? :: What's next for Phase 3? :: Examples :: Use Case :: Why :: Contributors :: Support
- Clone the Github repository to a desired location on your computer. You will need git to be preinstalled on your machine. Once the repository is cloned, you will then
cdinto the local repository.
git clone https://github.com/secheaper/slash.git
cd slash
- This project uses Python 3, so make sure that Python and Pip are preinstalled. All requirements of the project are listed in the
requirements.txtfile. Use pip to install all of those.
pip3 install -r requirements.txt
- Once all the requirements are installed, you will have to
cdinto thesrcfolder. Once in thesrcfolder, use the python command to run theslash.pyfile.
cd src
For Mac
python3 slash.py --search socks
For Windows
python slash.py --search socks
Currently the tool supports the following flags and command line arguments. These flags and arguments can be used to quickly filter and guide the search to get you the best results very quickly.
| Arguments | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| --search | str | None | The product name to be used as the search query |
| --num | int | 3 | Maximum number of products to search |
| --sort | str | re | Sort results by relevance (re) or by price (pr) |
| --des | bool | - | Set boolean flag if results should be sorted in non-increasing order |
| --csv | - | Save results as CSV | |
| --full | str | F | T for full version of app; F for mini version of app |
| --link | Show links in the table | ||
| --currency | str | Display the amount in specified currency(inr, euro, aud, yuan, yen, pound) |
--search accepts one argument string which it uses to search and scrape the requested products on
the e-commerce websites. So, to use this, run the python script followed by the --search argument and the
search string. The search string should be in double quotes if it have two or more words. Example:
For Mac
python3 slash.py --search "socks"
For Windows
python slash.py --search "socks"
timestamp title price link website rating
0 04/11/2021 13:09:36 CelerSport Ankle Athletic Running So... $12.70 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.8
1 04/11/2021 13:09:36 CelerSport 6 Pack Men's Ankle Socks ... $15.95 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.7
2 04/11/2021 13:09:36 Men's Athletic Ankle Socks 8 Pairs T... $22.99 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.6
3 04/11/2021 13:09:39 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Ankle Soc... $10.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Hanes-Women-s-Coo... walmart 4.2
4 04/11/2021 13:09:39 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Crew Sock... $10.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Hanes-Women-s-Coo... walmart 4.2
5 04/11/2021 13:09:39 AND1 Men's Cushion No Show Socks, 12... $11.47 www.walmart.comhttps://wrd.walmart.c... walmart 4.6
6 04/11/2021 13:09:40 Follkee Women's Alpaca Wool Socks Pe... $18.49 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
7 04/11/2021 13:09:40 Alpaca Socks | GoWith 2 Pairs Cozy W... $19.99 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
8 04/11/2021 13:09:40 Great White Shark Socks $11.95 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
--sort accepts one or more arguments that determine how the tool sorts and filters the requested products
after scraping. The first value is used to initially sort and filter the results of the scraping. The arguments
following the first one are not required but will be used to further sort the filtered results. Example:
For Mac
python3 slash.py --search "socks" --sort ra
For Windows
python slash.py --search "socks" --sort ra
timestamp title price website rating
0 03/11/2021 21:42:53 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Ankle Socks, ... $10.97 walmart 4.2
1 03/11/2021 21:42:53 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Crew Socks, 1... $10.97 walmart 4.2
2 03/11/2021 21:42:53 Hanes Mens FreshIQ Ankle Cushion Socks, ... $13.46 walmart 4.2
3 03/11/2021 21:42:51 10 Pairs Ankle Socks No Show Sock Low-Cu... $11.95 amazon 4.3
4 03/11/2021 21:42:50 Mens Cushioned Work Socks 10 Pairs $12.10 amazon 4.5
5 03/11/2021 21:42:50 Women's 6-Pack Performance Cotton Cushio... $17.70 amazon 4.5
6 03/11/2021 21:42:54 PDF Crikey Crocodile Socks Knit Animal S... 7.50 Etsy 4.5
7 03/11/2021 21:42:54 5socks /set - Cotton Women's Socks 16.00 Etsy 5
8 03/11/2021 21:42:54 Follkee Women's Alpaca Wool Socks Perfec... 18.49 Etsy 5
The --des flag can be set to sort the requested products in a non-increasing order. This flag will be
actually used when coupled with --sort. Example:
For Mac
python3 slash.py --search "socks" --sort pr --des
For Windows
python slash.py --search "socks" --sort pr --des
timestamp title price website rating
0 04/11/2021 13:18:30 Etsy
1 04/11/2021 13:18:30 Etsy
2 04/11/2021 13:18:30 Etsy
3 04/11/2021 13:18:27 6-pk. Performance Cotton Crew Socks Size... $34.38 amazon 4.7
4 04/11/2021 13:18:27 Men's 10 Pairs Cotton Moisture Control H... $25.49 amazon 4.7
5 04/11/2021 13:18:27 Men's Dri-Tech Comfort Crew Sock $25.45 amazon 4.8
6 04/11/2021 13:18:29 AND1 Men's Cushion No Show Socks, 12 Pac... $11.47 walmart 4.6
7 04/11/2021 13:18:29 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Ankle Socks, ... $10.97 walmart 4.2
8 04/11/2021 13:18:29 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Crew Socks, 1... $10.97 walmart 4.2
The maximum number of results that are scraped from each website can be set using the --num argument. It accepts
an integer value n and then returns n results from each website. Note that tool returns a maximum of
the value of n and the number of results on the webiste. By default this value is set to 3. Example:
For Mac
python3 slash.py --search "socks" --num 5
For Windows
python slash.py --search "socks" --num 5
timestamp title price link website rating
0 04/11/2021 13:13:33 CelerSport 6 Pack Men's Ankle Socks ... $15.95 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.7
1 04/11/2021 13:13:33 CelerSport Ankle Athletic Running So... $12.70 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.8
2 04/11/2021 13:13:33 Men's Athletic Ankle Socks 8 Pairs T... $22.99 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.6
3 04/11/2021 13:13:33 CelerSport 6 Pack Men's Athletic Cre... $18.95 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.6
4 04/11/2021 13:13:33 Women's 10-Pair Value Pack Crew Socks $8.79 www.amazon.com/Hanes-Womens-Crew-Whi... amazon 4.7
5 04/11/2021 13:13:36 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Ankle Soc... $10.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Hanes-Women-s-Coo... walmart 4.2
6 04/11/2021 13:13:36 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Crew Sock... $10.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Hanes-Women-s-Coo... walmart 4.2
7 04/11/2021 13:13:36 AND1 Men's Cushion No Show Socks, 12... $11.47 www.walmart.comhttps://wrd.walmart.c... walmart 4.6
8 04/11/2021 13:13:36 Gildan Adult Men's Performance Cotto... $10.00 www.walmart.comhttps://wrd.walmart.c... walmart 4.3
9 04/11/2021 13:13:36 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort No Show S... $10.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Hanes-Women-s-Coo... walmart 4.4
10 04/11/2021 13:13:37 Follkee Women's Alpaca Wool Socks Pe... $18.49 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
11 04/11/2021 13:13:37 Alpaca Socks | GoWith 2 Pairs Cozy W... $19.99 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
12 04/11/2021 13:13:37 Great White Shark Socks $11.95 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
13 04/11/2021 13:13:37 Miss June’s| 1 Pair Cashmere Wool bl... $15.00 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
14 04/11/2021 13:13:37 Customized Dog Socks - Put Your Cute... $8.99 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
--sort accepts the argument "ra" that determine how the tool sorts and filters the requested products
after scraping on the basis of ratings of the product .
Example:
For Mac
python3 slash.py --search "philips hue" --sort ra
For Windows
python slash.py --search "philips hue" --sort ra
timestamp title price website rating
0 03/11/2021 21:42:53 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Ankle Socks, ... $10.97 walmart 4.2
1 03/11/2021 21:42:53 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Crew Socks, 1... $10.97 walmart 4.2
2 03/11/2021 21:42:53 Hanes Mens FreshIQ Ankle Cushion Socks, ... $13.46 walmart 4.2
3 03/11/2021 21:42:51 10 Pairs Ankle Socks No Show Sock Low-Cu... $11.95 amazon 4.3
4 03/11/2021 21:42:50 Mens Cushioned Work Socks 10 Pairs $12.10 amazon 4.5
5 03/11/2021 21:42:50 Women's 6-Pack Performance Cotton Cushio... $17.70 amazon 4.5
6 03/11/2021 21:42:54 PDF Crikey Crocodile Socks Knit Animal S... 7.50 Etsy 4.5
7 03/11/2021 21:42:54 5socks /set - Cotton Women's Socks 16.00 Etsy 5
8 03/11/2021 21:42:54 Follkee Women's Alpaca Wool Socks Perfec... 18.49 Etsy 5
--currency provides nasic currency conversion for different currencies like INR, EURO, AUD, YUAN, YEN and POUND.
Example:
For Mac
python3 slash.py --search "socks" --currency "inr"
For Windows
python slash.py --search "socks" --currency "inr"
A new e-commerce site 'Etsy' has been added in this project. Information such as the product type, product name, price, ratings, etc. has been scraped from the website.
Example:
--full command is used to display the complete menu for the project. If the argument passed is "T", the Full version of the app will be displayed. If the argument passed is "F", the mini version of the app is displayed.
Example:
For Mac
python3 slash.py --search "socks" --full "F"
For Windows
python slash.py --search "socks" --full "F"
timestamp title price link website rating
0 04/11/2021 16:10:02 Men's 6 Pack Everyday Kit Cushioned ... $12.99 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.6
1 04/11/2021 16:10:02 Compression Athletic Crew Socks (6 P... $19.99 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.4
2 04/11/2021 16:10:02 CelerSport 6 Pack Women's Ankle Runn... $15.99 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.8
3 04/11/2021 16:10:05 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Ankle Soc... $10.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Hanes-Women-s-Coo... walmart 4.2
4 04/11/2021 16:10:05 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Crew Sock... $10.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Hanes-Women-s-Coo... walmart 4.2
5 04/11/2021 16:10:05 AND1 Men's Cushion No Show Socks, 12... $11.47 www.walmart.comhttps://wrd.walmart.c... walmart 4.6
6 04/11/2021 16:10:06 Follkee Women's Alpaca Wool Socks Pe... $18.49 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
7 04/11/2021 16:10:06 Alpaca Socks | GoWith 2 Pairs Cozy W... $19.99 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
8 04/11/2021 16:10:06 Great White Shark Socks $11.95 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
For Mac
python3 slash.py --search "socks" --full "T"
For Windows
python slash.py --search "socks" --full "T"
2.a) The output window asks for user information in order to store the data in the database. It also displays the menu for the user. The user can select the product which he/she wishes to search, check the existing list and see the currency conversion.
C:\Anant\NCSU\GITHUB\slash\src>python slash.py --full T
Welcome to Slash!
Please enter the following information:
Name: Anant
Email: agadodi@ncsu.edu
Welcome Anant
Select from following:
1. Search new product
2. See exiting list
3. See Currency Conversion
4. Exit
2.b) If the user inputs 1 i.e. Search new product, the command --search will be used. The product which the user wishes to search for needs to be entered.
1
Enter name of product to Search: socks
timestamp title price link website rating
0 04/11/2021 12:24:24 CelerSport Ankle Athletic Running So... $12.70 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.8
1 04/11/2021 12:24:24 CelerSport 6 Pack Men's Ankle Socks ... $15.95 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.7
2 04/11/2021 12:24:24 Men's 6 Pack Everyday Kit Cushioned ... $12.99 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.6
3 04/11/2021 12:24:24 Compression Athletic Crew Socks (6 P... $19.99 www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picasso... amazon 4.4
4 04/11/2021 12:24:24 Women's 10-Pair Value Pack Crew Socks $8.79 www.amazon.com/Hanes-Womens-Crew-Whi... amazon 4.7
5 04/11/2021 12:24:24 Men's Dri-tech Moisture Control Crew... $14.99 www.amazon.com/Dickies-Multi-Pack-Dr... amazon 4.7
6 04/11/2021 12:24:24 Women's Performance Heel Tab Athleti... $14.99 www.amazon.com/Saucony-Womens-Perfor... amazon 4.8
7 04/11/2021 12:24:24 Mens Cushioned Work Socks 10 Pairs $12.10 www.amazon.com/Fruit-Loom-Everyday-S... amazon 4.5
8 04/11/2021 12:24:24 CelerSport Ankle Athletic Running So... $12.70 www.amazon.com/CelerSport-Ankle-Athl... amazon 4.8
9 04/11/2021 12:24:24 mens Dual Defense Cushioned Socks - ... $11.97 www.amazon.com/Fruit-Loom-Cushion-De... amazon 4.7
10 04/11/2021 12:24:24 mens Athletic Cushioned Crew Socks (... $18.99 www.amazon.com/adidas-Mens-Athletic-... amazon 4.7
11 04/11/2021 12:24:25 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Ankle Soc... $10.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Hanes-Women-s-Coo... walmart 4.2
12 04/11/2021 12:24:25 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Crew Sock... $10.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Hanes-Women-s-Coo... walmart 4.2
13 04/11/2021 12:24:25 AND1 Men's Cushion No Show Socks, 12... $11.47 www.walmart.comhttps://wrd.walmart.c... walmart 4.6
14 04/11/2021 12:24:25 Gildan Adult Men's Performance Cotto... $10.00 www.walmart.comhttps://wrd.walmart.c... walmart 4.3
15 04/11/2021 12:24:25 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort No Show S... $10.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Hanes-Women-s-Coo... walmart 4.4
16 04/11/2021 12:24:25 Avia Women's Performance Flatknit Lo... $9.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Avia-Women-s-Perf... walmart 5
17 04/11/2021 12:24:25 Athletic Works Men's Ankle Socks 12 ... $9.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Athletic-Works-Me... walmart 4.4
18 04/11/2021 12:24:25 Athletic Works Men's Crew Socks 12 Pack $9.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Athletic-Works-Me... walmart 4.5
19 04/11/2021 12:24:25 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort Sport Ank... From $8.97 www.walmart.com/ip/Hanes-Women-s-Com... walmart 4.5
20 04/11/2021 12:24:25 Hanes Women's Cool Comfort No Show S... From $5.99 www.walmart.com/ip/Hanes-Women-s-Com... walmart 4.5
21 04/11/2021 12:24:26 Follkee Women's Alpaca Wool Socks Pe... $18.49 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
22 04/11/2021 12:24:26 Alpaca Socks | GoWith 2 Pairs Cozy W... $19.99 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
23 04/11/2021 12:24:26 Great White Shark Socks $11.95 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
24 04/11/2021 12:24:26 Miss June’s| 1 Pair Cashmere Wool bl... $15.00 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
25 04/11/2021 12:24:26 Custom Face Socks w Text, Personaliz... $7.99 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
26 04/11/2021 12:24:26 Customized Dog Socks - Put Your Cute... $8.99 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
27 04/11/2021 12:24:26 Follkee Women's Alpaca Wool Socks Pe... $18.49 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
28 04/11/2021 12:24:26 Custom Pet Socks - Dog Socks For Men... $9.88 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
29 04/11/2021 12:24:26 PDF Knitting Pattern Crikey Crocodil... $7.50 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 4.5
30 04/11/2021 12:24:26 5 PAIRS of Cashmere Wool Blend Socks... $34.36 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
31 04/11/2021 12:24:26 Custom Pet Socks, Dog Socks, Pup Soc... $7.99 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
32 04/11/2021 12:24:26 Warm & Cozy Cupcake Socks, Sleeping,... $4.99 www.Etsy.comhttps://www.etsy.com/lis... Etsy 5
Once the product list is displayed, the user is given the option to choose whether to save in the product or if he or she wished to open the browser and check the link.
Enter 1 to save product to list
2 to open link in browser
else enter any other key to continue
1
Enter row number of product to save: 4
Here, as the user entered 1, the product is saved in the list.
timestamp title price link website rating
4 04/11/2021 12:24:24 Women's 10-Pair Value Pack Crew Socks $8.79 www.amazon.com/Hanes-Womens-Crew-Whi... amazon 4.7
Select from following:
1. Search new product
2. See exiting list
3. See Currency Conversion
4. Exit
2
2.c) Now that we know that there is an element in the list, we can select the "See existing List" option.
timestamp title price link website rating
0 04/11/2021 12:24:24 Women's 10-Pair Value Pack Crew Socks $8.79 www.amazon.com/Hanes-Womens-Crew-Whi... amazon 4.7
With the list output, the user is also giventhe option to choose whether to delete the item from the list or to open the link for the product.
Select from the following:
1. Delete item from list
2. Open link in Chrome
3. Continue
2
Enter row number to open in chrome: 0
Select from following:
1. Search new product
2. See exiting list
3. See Currency Conversion
4. Exit
4
Thank You for Using Slash
--csv command is used to save the complete list of the searched product in a csv format.
--cd command here is used to change the directory for the csv file.
Example:
For Mac
python3 slash.py --search "socks" --csv --cd C:\Anant\NCSU\slash_test_csv
For Windows
python slash.py --search "socks" --csv --cd C:\Anant\NCSU\slash_test_csv
CSV Saved at: C:\Anant\NCSU\slash_test_csv
File Name: C:\Anant\NCSU\slash_test_csv\socks211104_1223.csv
- Creating ordering and payment functionality for customers to directly order from command line
- Scrape more e-commerce websites for wider range of options
- Add more parameters such as delivery days to get more information about the product
- Add functionality to store multiple wishlists from the output generated using the search query
- Add functionality to edit, delete, rename wishlists
- Add interactive user interface
- Add real time dynamic currency converters for different currencies all around the world
- Students: Students coming to university are generally on a budget and time constraint and generally spend hours wasting time to search for products on Websites. Slash is the perfect tool for these students that slashes all the unnecessary details on a website and helps them get prices for a product across multiple websites.Make the most of this tool in the upcoming Black Friday Sale.
- Data Analysts: Finding data for any project is one of the most tedious job for a data analyst, and the datasets found might not be the most recent one. Using slash, they can create their own dataset in real time and format it as per their needs so that they can focus on what is actually inportant.
- In a market where we are spoilt for choices, we often look for the best deals.
- The ubiquity of internet access has leveled the retail playing field, making it easy for individuals and businesses to sell products without geographic limitation. In 2020, U.S. e-commerce sales, receiving a boost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, grew 44% and represented more than 21% of total retail sales, according to e-commerce information source Internet Retailer.
- The growth of e-commerce has not only changed the way customers shop, but also their expectations of how brands approach customer service, personalize communications, and provide customers choices.
- E-commerce market has prompted cut throat competition amongst dealers, which is discernable through the price patterns for products of major market players. Price cuts are somewhat of a norm now and getting the best deal for your money can sometimes be a hassle (even while online shopping).
- This is what Slash aims to reduce by giving you an easy to use, all in one place solution for finding the best deals for your products that major market dealers have to offer!
- Slash in its current form is for people who have some understanding of python and are comfortable in using the command line interface to interact with systems.
- Future updates aim to encompass a wide variety of users irrespective of their computer knowledge and background.
 Anant Gadodia |
 Anmolika Goyal |
 Shubhangi Jain |
 Shreya Karra |
 Srujana Rao |
For any queries and help, please reach out to us at: secheaper@gmail.com