name : curl_perform_rs.rst perform_rs() -> response_body Perform a file transfer and return response body as a string. On Python 2, this method arranges for response body to be saved in a StringIO instance, then invokes :ref:`perform <perform>` to perform the file transfer, then returns the value of the StringIO instance. This behavior is identical to :ref:`perform_rb <perform_rb>`. On Python 3, this method arranges for response body to be saved in a BytesIO instance, then invokes :ref:`perform <perform>` to perform the file transfer, then decodes the response body in Python's default encoding and returns the decoded body as a Unicode string (``str`` instance). *Note:* decoding happens after the transfer finishes, thus an encoding error implies the transfer/network operation succeeded. Any transfer errors raise ``pycurl.error`` exception, just like in :ref:`perform <perform>`. Use :ref:`perform_rb <perform_rb>` to retrieve response body as a byte string (``bytes`` instance on Python 3) without attempting to decode it. Raises ``pycurl.error`` exception upon failure. *Added in version 7.43.0.2.*