Base64 Encoding

• Every Wonder How Base64 Encoding Works to Send Data Over Email?
• Base64 - Wikipedia
• Base64 - MDN Web Docs Glossary Definitions of Web-related terms MDN
• https://www.base64encode.org/enc/password/

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How Base64 Encoding Works

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Base64 encoding is a method used to convert binary data into a text format using a set of 64 printable characters. This process is essential for transmitting binary data over mediums that only support text, such as email or HTTP requests. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how it works:

1. Input and Division

• Input: The encoding process starts with a stream of binary data, which can be anything from text to images.
• Division: This binary data is divided into groups of 8-bit bytes (octets).

2. Grouping into 24-bit Sequences

• Concatenation: Three 8-bit bytes are concatenated to form a single 24-bit sequence.
• Result: Each 24-bit sequence can be divided into four 6-bit groups.

3. Conversion to Base64 Characters

• 6-bit Groups: Each 6-bit group represents a number between 0 and 63.
• Base64 Table: These numbers are mapped to characters from the Base64 table, which includes:
  • Lowercase letters (a-z)
  • Uppercase letters (A-Z)
  • Digits (0-9)
  • Special characters (+ and /)

4. Padding

• Incomplete Groups: If the last group of bytes doesn’t fill a complete 24-bit sequence, padding is used.
• Padding Types:
  • 8 bits (1 byte): Pad with 16 zeros, and append two ”=” signs to indicate that two bytes were padded.
  • 16 bits (2 bytes): Pad with 8 zeros, and append one ”=” sign to indicate that one byte was padded.

Example

Consider encoding the string “Sun”:

• Binary Representation: Convert each character to binary.
• Grouping: Combine three 8-bit bytes into a 24-bit sequence.
• Conversion: Divide the 24-bit sequence into four 6-bit groups and map them to Base64 characters.
• Padding: If necessary, add ”=” signs to complete the encoding.

Base64 encoding is widely used in various applications, including email attachments, web development, and data storage, to ensure that binary data can be safely transmitted over text-based protocols.

Citations:

1. https://shiftasia.com/community/base64-encode/
2. https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/what-is-base64-encoding/
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4JW5T24Uy4
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base64
5. https://builtin.com/software-engineering-perspectives/base64-encoding
6. https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/base64-encoding
7. https://www.lifewire.com/base64-encoding-overview-1166412
8. https://bunny.net/academy/http/what-is-base64-encoding-and-decoding/

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