Posts tagged "encoding"
5 posts tagged with encoding.
How QR Codes Work: From Data to Scannable Image and Back
A QR code is a 2D barcode that can store a URL, contact card, or arbitrary text using a grid of black and white modules. Here is how the encoding works and why damaged QR codes still scan.
How UTF-8 and Unicode Work: Text Encoding for Developers
Every string in your program is ultimately bytes. Understanding how Unicode maps characters to code points and how UTF-8 encodes those to bytes prevents a whole class of subtle bugs.
URL Encoding Explained: Percent-Encoding and Why It Matters
A space in a URL becomes %20, a plus sign becomes %2B — but not always, and the rules differ depending on where in a URL you are. This post explains the why and the how of percent-encoding.
Base64 Encoding: What It Is, How It Works, and When to Use It
Base64 shows up everywhere from JWTs to CSS data URIs to HTTP Basic Auth — but it is often misunderstood. Here is a clear explanation of what it actually does and when it makes sense to reach for it.
Encoding vs Encryption vs Hashing: The Key Differences Explained
Treating Base64 as encryption or MD5 as a secure hash are among the most common security mistakes developers make. This post draws a clear line between encoding, encryption, and hashing.