*** Access the Base64 Encoding and Decoding Utility
The concept of Caesar's cipher is one of the oldest known methods of encoding. The cipher factored a substitution method, where known characters of language were substituted by a predefined shift method. This was considered a method of cryptography back then, and was used to convey top secret messages. While this method was subsequently cracked, encoding continues to be leveraged today as the basis of storing data within several systems. This ensures that data is converted into a single encoding format, thus facilitating smoother operation of systems and applications.
PS: The below image showcases an example of using a shift method of 3 characters where "D = A", "E=B" & "F=C".
Base64 is similar and one of the most common method of encoding leveraged within almost every application and system today. This offers a standard method of storing as well as interpreting data, thus even extending storage of attachments into raw text databases. The format of a Base64 string is based on the below logic / conditions:
a) Includes "alphanumeric characters", "+" & "/", that are further classified in detail within the Base64 index table (Ref: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc4648)
b) Always in multiples of four characters
c) In case the length does not meet condition (b), a padding character, ie. "=" or "==" is added at the end thus compensating to meet the required length
Note: This is the most common format of Base64. However, there are various variants of the same that have evolved over time, customized for different solutions thus differing from the above.
Published: 30th October, 2021
Author: Denis Kattithara
