I've always wanted to learn how to query a coin network for things like current difficulty and total hashrate without running a full blown wallet to get a conso

I've always wanted to learn how to query a coin network for things like current difficulty and total hashrate without running a full blown wallet to get a console. Is this documented anywhere perhaps? I cannot seem to find. This helps a little https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Protocol_specification https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Protocol_specification but very low level and no mention of hashrate