Base64 encoding and decoding schemes are commonly used to encode binary data. Normally this is required when textual data needs to be transferred over the network or similar media and make sure that data is transferred without any modification. Base64 is commonly used in a number of applications, including email via MIME, and storing complex data in XML. When base64 encoding is used in email encryption it is called Privacy enhanced Electronic mail (PEM).
One of the most common uses of Base 64 encoding on the web is to encode binary data that so it can be included in a data: URL. This allows content creators or web developers to embed images or files inline in documents. Base64 data is generally url-safe, and that’s why it can be used to encode data in Data URLs.
Base64 Encoding and decoding C Program
This is a very simple implementation of base64 encoding and decoding in C programming language. There are number of C libraries available for encoding and decoding as well i.e. libb64, OpenSSL Base64, Apple’s Implementations, arduino-base64 etc.
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <string.h>
static char encoding_table[] = {'A', 'B', 'C', 'D', 'E', 'F', 'G', 'H',
'I', 'J', 'K', 'L', 'M', 'N', 'O', 'P',
'Q', 'R', 'S', 'T', 'U', 'V', 'W', 'X',
'Y', 'Z', 'a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e', 'f',
'g', 'h', 'i', 'j', 'k', 'l', 'm', 'n',
'o', 'p', 'q', 'r', 's', 't', 'u', 'v',
'w', 'x', 'y', 'z', '0', '1', '2', '3',
'4', '5', '6', '7', '8', '9', '+', '/'};
static char *decoding_table = NULL;
static int mod_table[] = {0, 2, 1};
void build_decoding_table() {
decoding_table = malloc(256);
for (int i = 0; i < 64; i++)
decoding_table[(unsigned char) encoding_table[i]] = i;
}
void base64_cleanup() {
free(decoding_table);
}
char *base64_encode(const unsigned char *data,
size_t input_length,
size_t *output_length) {
*output_length = 4 * ((input_length + 2) / 3);
char *encoded_data = malloc(*output_length);
if (encoded_data == NULL) return NULL;
for (int i = 0, j = 0; i < input_length;) {
uint32_t octet_a = i < input_length ? (unsigned char)data[i++] : 0;
uint32_t octet_b = i < input_length ? (unsigned char)data[i++] : 0;
uint32_t octet_c = i < input_length ? (unsigned char)data[i++] : 0;
uint32_t triple = (octet_a << 0x10) + (octet_b << 0x08) + octet_c;
encoded_data[j++] = encoding_table[(triple >> 3 * 6) & 0x3F];
encoded_data[j++] = encoding_table[(triple >> 2 * 6) & 0x3F];
encoded_data[j++] = encoding_table[(triple >> 1 * 6) & 0x3F];
encoded_data[j++] = encoding_table[(triple >> 0 * 6) & 0x3F];
}
for (int i = 0; i < mod_table[input_length % 3]; i++)
encoded_data[*output_length - 1 - i] = '=';
return encoded_data;
}
unsigned char *base64_decode(const char *data,
size_t input_length,
size_t *output_length) {
if (decoding_table == NULL) build_decoding_table();
if (input_length % 4 != 0) return NULL;
*output_length = input_length / 4 * 3;
if (data[input_length - 1] == '=') (*output_length)--;
if (data[input_length - 2] == '=') (*output_length)--;
unsigned char *decoded_data = malloc(*output_length);
if (decoded_data == NULL) return NULL;
for (int i = 0, j = 0; i < input_length;) {
uint32_t sextet_a = data[i] == '=' ? 0 & i++ : decoding_table[data[i++]];
uint32_t sextet_b = data[i] == '=' ? 0 & i++ : decoding_table[data[i++]];
uint32_t sextet_c = data[i] == '=' ? 0 & i++ : decoding_table[data[i++]];
uint32_t sextet_d = data[i] == '=' ? 0 & i++ : decoding_table[data[i++]];
uint32_t triple = (sextet_a << 3 * 6)
+ (sextet_b << 2 * 6)
+ (sextet_c << 1 * 6)
+ (sextet_d << 0 * 6);
if (j < *output_length) decoded_data[j++] = (triple >> 2 * 8) & 0xFF;
if (j < *output_length) decoded_data[j++] = (triple >> 1 * 8) & 0xFF;
if (j < *output_length) decoded_data[j++] = (triple >> 0 * 8) & 0xFF;
}
return decoded_data;
}
int main(){
char * data = "Hello World!";
long input_size = strlen(data);
char * encoded_data = base64_encode(data, input_size, &input_size);
printf("Encoded Data is: %s \n",encoded_data);
long decode_size = strlen(encoded_data);
char * decoded_data = base64_decode(encoded_data, decode_size, &decode_size);
printf("Decoded Data is: %s \n",decoded_data);
exit(0);
}Output of the Base64 Encoding Program
The output of the above program is as below:
Encoded Data is: SGVsbG8gV29ybGQh Decoded Data is: Hello World!