Base64 Encoding: GLib Reference Manual

## Base64 Encoding Base64 Encoding — encodes and decodes data in Base64 format |

## Functions

gsize | g_base64_encode_step ()
gsize | g_base64_encode_close ()
gchar * | g_base64_encode ()
gsize | g_base64_decode_step ()
guchar * | g_base64_decode ()
guchar * | g_base64_decode_inplace ()

## Includes

    #include <glib.h>

## Description

Base64 is an encoding that allows a sequence of arbitrary bytes to be encoded as a sequence of printable ASCII characters. For the definition of Base64, see RFC 1421 or RFC 2045. Base64 is most commonly used as a MIME transfer encoding for email.

GLib supports incremental encoding using `g_base64_encode_step()` and `g_base64_encode_close()`. Incremental decoding can be done with `g_base64_decode_step()`. To encode or decode data in one go, use `g_base64_encode()` or `g_base64_decode()`. To avoid memory allocation when decoding, you can use `g_base64_decode_inplace()`.

Support for Base64 encoding has been added in GLib 2.12.

## Functions

### g_base64_encode_step ()

    gsize
    g_base64_encode_step (const guchar *in,
                          gsize len,
                          gboolean break_lines,
                          gchar *out,
                          gint *state,
                          gint *save);

Incrementally encode a sequence of binary data into its Base-64 stringified representation. By calling this function multiple times you can convert data in chunks to avoid having to have the full encoded data in memory.

When all of the data has been converted you must call `g_base64_encode_close()` to flush the saved state.

The output buffer must be large enough to fit all the data that will be written to it. Due to the way base64 encodes you will need at least: (`len` / 3 + 1) * 4 + 4 bytes (+ 4 may be needed in case of non-zero state). If you enable line-breaking you will need at least: ((`len` / 3 + 1) * 4 + 4) / 72 + 1 bytes of extra space.

`break_lines` is typically used when putting base64-encoded data in emails. It breaks the lines at 72 columns instead of putting all of the text on the same line. This avoids problems with long lines in the email system. Note however that it breaks the lines with `LF` characters, not `CR LF` sequences, so the result cannot be passed directly to SMTP or certain other protocols.

#### Parameters

in | the binary data to encode. | [array length=len][element-type guint8]
len | the length of `in` |
break_lines | whether to break long lines |
out | pointer to destination buffer. | [out][array][element-type guint8]
state | Saved state between steps, initialize to 0. | [inout]
save | Saved state between steps, initialize to 0. | [inout]

#### Returns

The number of bytes of output that was written

Since: 2.12

### g_base64_encode_close ()

    gsize
    g_base64_encode_close (gboolean break_lines,
                           gchar *out,
                           gint *state,
                           gint *save);

Flush the status from a sequence of calls to `g_base64_encode_step()`.

The output buffer must be large enough to fit all the data that will be written to it. It will need up to 4 bytes, or up to 5 bytes if line-breaking is enabled.

#### Parameters

break_lines | whether to break long lines |
out | pointer to destination buffer. | [out][array][element-type guint8]
state | Saved state from `g_base64_encode_step()`. | [inout]
save | Saved state from `g_base64_encode_step()`. | [inout]

#### Returns

The number of bytes of output that was written

Since: 2.12

### g_base64_encode ()

    gchar *
    g_base64_encode (const guchar *data,
                     gsize len);

Encode a sequence of binary data into its Base-64 stringified representation.

#### Parameters

data | the binary data to encode. | [array length=len][element-type guint8]
len | the length of `data` |

#### Returns

a newly allocated, zero-terminated Base-64 encoded string representing `data` . The returned string must be freed with `g_free()`.

[transfer full]

Since: 2.12

### g_base64_decode_step ()

    gsize
    g_base64_decode_step (const gchar *in,
                          gsize len,
                          guchar *out,
                          gint *state,
                          guint *save);

Incrementally decode a sequence of binary data from its Base-64 stringified representation. By calling this function multiple times you can convert data in chunks to avoid having to have the full encoded data in memory.

The output buffer must be large enough to fit all the data that will be written to it. Since base64 encodes 3 bytes in 4 chars you need at least: (`len` / 4) * 3 + 3 bytes (+ 3 may be needed in case of non-zero state).

#### Parameters

in | binary input data. | [array length=len][element-type guint8]
len | max length of `in` data to decode |
out | output buffer. | [out][array][element-type guint8]
state | Saved state between steps, initialize to 0. | [inout]
save | Saved state between steps, initialize to 0. | [inout]

#### Returns

The number of bytes of output that was written

Since: 2.12

### g_base64_decode ()

    guchar *
    g_base64_decode (const gchar *text,
                     gsize *out_len);

Decode a sequence of Base-64 encoded text into binary data. Note that the returned binary data is not necessarily zero-terminated, so it should not be used as a character string.

#### Parameters

text | zero-terminated string with base64 text to decode |
out_len | The length of the decoded data is written here. | [out]

#### Returns

newly allocated buffer containing the binary data that `text` represents. The returned buffer must be freed with `g_free()`.

[transfer full][array length=out_len][element-type guint8]

Since: 2.12

### g_base64_decode_inplace ()

    guchar *
    g_base64_decode_inplace (gchar *text,
                             gsize *out_len);

Decode a sequence of Base-64 encoded text into binary data by overwriting the input data.

#### Parameters

text | zero-terminated string with base64 text to decode. | [inout][array length=out_len][element-type guint8]
out_len | The length of the decoded data is written here. | [inout]

#### Returns

The binary data that `text` responds. This pointer is the same as the input `text` .

[transfer none]

Since: 2.20

## Types and Values