net_http_extension.rb

# Convenient way to fetch URLs. It follows redirections and handles SSL. Usage:
#   Net::HTTP.fetch_url('http://google.com')
#   Net::HTTP.fetch_url('https://www.google.fr/?q=ruby')
module Net
  class HTTP
    def self.fetch_url(url, limit = 10)
      raise ArgumentError, 'HTTP redirect too deep' if limit == 0
      url = URI.parse(url)
      options = {use_ssl: url.scheme.downcase == 'https'}
      request = Net::HTTP::Get.new(url.path.to_s + '?' + url.query.to_s)
      response = Net::HTTP.start(url.host, url.port, options) { |http| http.request(request) }
      case response
      when Net::HTTPSuccess then response
      when Net::HTTPRedirection then fetch_url(response['location'], limit - 1)
      else response.error!
      end
    end
  end
end