Base64

Full Title

Base64 is a coding schema designed to convert binary data into ASCII encoded text.

Context

Base64 coding was created to allow binary information to be passed over channels that cannot cope with the full range of characters represented by a binary stream.

Problems

• While Base64 works well for what it was designed to accomplish on Web Site communications over the World Wide Web, it cannot be used within a URL.

Solution

• Now there are two versions:
  • Base64 uses the characters '+ and '/'
  • Base64url uses the characters '-' and '_'

References

• String based data encoding: Base64 vs Base64url