How do you convert text to base64 in python?
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testEncoder.py
Output: IntroductionHave you ever received a PDF or an image file from someone via email, only to see strange characters when you open it? This can happen if your email server was only designed to handle text data. Files with binary data, bytes that represent non-text information like images, can be easily corrupted when being transferred and processed to text-only systems. Base64 encoding allows us to convert bytes containing binary or text data to ASCII characters. By encoding our data, we improve the chances of it being processed correctly by various systems. In this tutorial, we would learn how Base64 encoding and decoding works, and how it can be used. We will then use Python to Base64 encode and decode both text and binary data. What is Base64 Encoding?Base64 encoding is a type of conversion of bytes into ASCII characters. In mathematics, the base of a number system refers to how many different characters represent numbers. The name of this encoding comes directly from the mathematical definition of bases - we have 64 characters that represent numbers. The Base64 character set contains:
When the computer converts Base64 characters to binary, each Base64 character represents 6 bits of information. Note: This is not an encryption algorithm, and should not be used for security purposes. Now that we know what Base64 encoding and how it is represented on a computer, let's look deeper into how it works. How Does Base64 Encoding Work?We will illustrate how Base64 encoding works by converting text data, as it's more standard than the various binary formats to choose from. If we were to Base64 encode a string we would follow these steps:
Let's see how it works by converting the string "Python" to a Base64 string. The ASCII values of the characters
Recall that Base64 characters only represent 6 bits of data. We now re-group the 8-bit binary sequences into chunks of 6 bits. The resultant binary will look like this:
Note: Sometimes we are not able to group the data into sequences of 6 bits. If that occurs, we have to pad the sequence. With our data in groups of 6 bits, we can obtain the decimal value for each group. Using our last result, we get the following decimal values:
Finally, we will convert these decimals into the appropriate Base64 character using the Base64 conversion table: As you can see, the value To Base64 encode a string, we convert it to binary sequences, then to decimal sequences, and finally, use a lookup table to get a string of ASCII characters. With that deeper understanding of how it works, let's look at why would we Base64 encode our data. Why use Base64 Encoding?In computers, all data of different types are transmitted as 1s and 0s. However, some
communication channels and applications are not able to understand all the bits it receives. This is because the meaning of a sequence of 1s and 0s is dependent on the type of data it represents. For example, To work around this limitation, you can encode your data to text, improving the chances of it being transmitted and processed correctly. Base64 is a popular method to get binary data into ASCII characters, which is widely understood by the majority of networks and applications. A common real-world scenario where Base64 encoding is heavily used are in mail servers. They were originally built to handle text data, but we also expect them to send images and other media with a message. In those cases, your media data would be Base64 encoded when it is being sent. It will then be Base64 decoded when it is received so an application can use it. So, for example, the image in the HTML might look like this:
Understanding that data sometimes need to be sent as text so it won't be corrupted, let's look at how we can use Python to Base64 encoded and decode data. Encoding Strings with PythonPython 3 provides a In a new file
Check out our hands-on, practical guide to learning Git, with best-practices, industry-accepted standards, and included cheat sheet. Stop Googling Git commands and actually learn it! In the code above, we first imported the Note: Be sure to use the same encoding format to when converting from string to bytes, and from bytes to string. This prevents data corruption. Running this file would provide the following output:
Now let's see how we can decode a Base64 string to its raw representation. Decoding Strings with PythonDecoding a Base64 string is essentially a reverse of the encoding process. We decode the Base64 string into bytes of unencoded data. We then convert the bytes-like object into a string. In a new file called
Once again, we need the Run this file to see the following output:
Now that we can encode and decode string data, let's try to encode binary data. Encoding Binary Data with PythonAs we mentioned previously, Base64 encoding is primarily used to represent binary data as text. In Python, we need to read the binary file, and Base64 encode its bytes so we can generate its encoded string. Let's see how we can encode this image: Create a new file
Let's go over the code snippet above. We open the file using We then
use the Executing the code will produce similar output to:
Your output may vary depending on the image you've chosen to encode. Now that we know how to Bas64 encode binary data in Python, let's move on Base64 decoding binary data. Decoding Binary Data with PythonBase64 decoding binary is similar to Base64 decoding text data. The key difference is that after we Base64 decode the string, we save the data as a binary file instead of a string. Let's see how to Base64 decode binary data in practice by creating a new file called
In the above code, we first convert our Base64 string data into a bytes-like object that can be decoded. When you are base64 decoding a binary file, you must know the type of data that is being decoded. For example, this data is only valid as a PNG file and not a MP3 file as it encodes an image. Once the destination file is open, we Base64 decode the data with In the
same directory that you executed ConclusionBase64 encoding is a popular technique to convert data in different binary formats to a string of ASCII characters. This is useful when transmitting data to networks or applications that cannot process raw binary data but would readily handle text. With Python, we can use the What applications would you use to encode and decode Base64 data? How do you convert a string to base64?To convert a string into a Base64 character the following steps should be followed: Get the ASCII value of each character in the string. Compute the 8-bit binary equivalent of the ASCII values. Convert the 8-bit characters chunk into chunks of 6 bits by re-grouping the digits.
How do you base64 a string in Python?How to Base64 Encode a String in Python. import base64. ... . import base64 encoded = base64.b64encode('data to be encoded'.encode('ascii')) print(encoded) ... . import base64 encoded = base64.b64encode(b'data to be encoded') print(encoded) ... . encoded = base64.b64encode (bytes('data to be encoded', "utf-8")). How do I use base64 decoding in python?Base64 Decoding an Image
To decode an image using Python, we simply use the base64. b64decode(s) function. Python mentions the following regarding this function: Decode the Base64 encoded bytes-like object or ASCII string s and return the decoded bytes.
How do I convert to base64 manually?Convert Text To Base-64 By Hand. STEP ONE: Know the ASCII code chart. ... . STEP TWO: Convert your ASCII string to numerical binary. ... . STEP THREE: Pad at the end as necessary with zeros. ... . STEP FOUR: Divide your binary string into words of 6 bits. ... . STEP FIVE: Convert your 6-bit words to decimal. ... . STEP SIX: Convert decimal to ASCII.. |