PHP - URL base64_encode() Function

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The PHP URL base64_encode() function is used to encode the data with MIME base64. It basically uses base64 algorithm to encode the given data. This encoding is designed to make binary data survive transport over transport layers that are not 8-bit clean such as mail bodies. Base64-encoded data can take about 33% more space than original data.

Syntax

Below is the syntax of the PHP URL base64_encode() function −

string base64_encode( string $data )

Parameters

This function accepts $data parameter which is the data to be encoded.

Return Value

The base64_encode() function returns encoded data as string, or FALSE on failure.

PHP Version

First introduced in core PHP 4, the base64_encode() function continues to function easily in PHP 5, PHP 7, and PHP 8.

Example 1

Here we will show you the basic example of the PHP URL base64_encode() function to encode the given simple string.

<?php
   // Define the string to be encoded
   $str = "This is an simple string";
   echo "Encoded string is as follows: ";
   echo base64_encode($str);
?>

Output

The above code will result something like this −

Encoded string is as follows: 
VGhpcyBpcyBhbiBzaW1wbGUgc3RyaW5n

Example 2

In the below PHP code we will try to use the base64_encode() function and encode a url to make it safe.

<?php
   // Define a URL here
   $url = "https://www.tutorialspoint.com/search?q=php&lang=en";
   
   // Use base64_encode() function
   $encodedUrl = base64_encode($url);

   echo "Here is the encoded URL: ";
   echo $encodedUrl; 
?> 

Output

This will generate the below output −

Here is the encoded URL: 
aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudHV0b3JpYWxzcG9pbnQuY29tL3NlYXJjaD9xPXBocCZsYW5nPWVu

Example 3

Now we will use array as data which is to be encoded using base64_encode() function. So first we will serialize the given array and then encode it.

<?php
   // Define an array here
   $array = array("name" => "Amit", "age" => 30);

   $serializedArray = serialize($array);
   $encodedArray = base64_encode($serializedArray);
   
   echo "Encoded array is here: ";
   echo $encodedArray; 
?> 

Output

This will create the below output −

Encoded array is here: 
YToyOntzOjQ6Im5hbWUiO3M6NDoiQW1pdCI7czozOiJhZ2UiO2k6MzA7fQ==

Example 4

In the following example, we are using the base64_encode() function to encode the given JSON data.

<?php
   // Define a JSON data here
   $data = array("name" => "Amit", "city" => "Mumbai");

   $jsonData = json_encode($data);
   $encodedJson = base64_encode($jsonData);

   // Print the message
   echo "The encoded JSON data is here: ";
   echo $encodedJson; 
?> 

Output

Following is the output of the above code −

The encoded JSON data is here:
eyJuYW1lIjoiQW1pdCIsImNpdHkiOiJNdW1iYWkifQ==