Both Base64 encoding and URL encoding are used for data transformation, but they serve different purposes.
| Feature | Base64 Encoding | URL Encoding |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Converts binary data to text | Encodes special characters in URLs |
| Character Set | A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /, = | % followed by two hex digits |
| Padding | Uses '=' | No padding |
| Use Cases | File storage, data transfer | URL query parameters, form data |
| Security | Not secure (just encoding, not encryption) | Not secure (just encoding, not encryption) |
Base64 Example:
Input: Hello
Encoded: SGVsbG8=
URL Encoding Example:
Input: Hello World!
Encoded: Hello%20World%21