baseencoded

Baseencoded is a term used to describe data that has been transformed by a base-k encoding, where k is greater than 1. It refers to the broad family of encoding schemes that represent binary data as a string of printable characters drawn from an alphabet of size k. Common instances include base16 (hex), base32, base64, and, in some contexts, base58. The phrase baseencoded is not a formal standard but is used in technical writing to denote encoded data without specifying a particular base.

How it works: The encoding process treats the input as a stream of bits and partitions it into groups of log2(k) bits. Each group is mapped to a character in the chosen alphabet. To complete the final group, padding characters are often added. Different base encodings use different alphabets and padding rules; for example base64 uses an '=' padding and a 64-character alphabet.

Characteristics: The encoded output is ASCII text, which makes it suitable for embedding in text-based protocols such as email, JSON, XML, or URLs. Base16 produces the most expansion among common bases (each byte becomes two hex digits), while base64 and base32 provide more compact representations for binary data.

Applications and behaviors: It is used to safely transmit binary data over channels that are designed for text, to store binary data in textual databases, and to embed images or files in documents. It is not encryption; baseencoded data is not inherently secure.

Relation to other concepts: Baseencoding is often contrasted with other encoding schemes (URL-safe variants, padding schemes, or custom alphabets). In practice, base64 is the de facto standard for many internet protocols.