Encode and Decode Base64 Strings

Base64 is an encoding scheme that converts binary data into a text-based format using a set of 64 ASCII characters. This is particularly useful for transmitting data over media that are designed to handle only text, such as in JSON payloads, XML files, or email attachments. For example, an image file, which is binary, can be Base64 encoded and included directly in a JSON object as a string. A Base64 encoder takes the input data (text or binary) and produces the encoded string. A decoder does the reverse, taking the Base64 string and converting it back to its original form. This is not a form of encryption, as it is easily reversible, but it is an essential tool for ensuring data integrity during transmission in text-based protocols.