Character Encodings
Base64, URL encoding and UTF-8 explained plainly.
Character Encodings is taught here in 3 lessons, running from Base64 encoding through to UTF-8 and character sets. Each lesson takes one topic, shows the working code, and links onward to the next, so the course can be read straight through in order.
| Track | Computer Science Fundamentals |
| Lessons | 3 |
| Level | Beginner |
| Reading time | about 39 minutes |
| Prerequisites | Helpful, but not required: Operating Systems |
Lessons
- Base64 encodingWhat Base64 is, why it exists, how it works, and the cases where it is the wrong tool.
- URL encoding (percent-encoding)Why spaces and symbols in a URL get turned into %20 and friends, and the difference between query and path encoding.
- UTF-8 and character setsWhy 'one character = one byte' is wrong, what code points are, and how UTF-8 became the default for the web.
More in Computer Science Fundamentals
Algorithms Data Structures Computer Networks Operating Systems Hashing & Checksums Data Formats Dates & Time Regular Expressions
FAQ
How long does the Character Encodings course take?
It has 3 lessons, about 39 minutes of reading. Expect roughly twice that if you type out and run every example.
Do I need prior experience for Character Encodings?
Not strictly. It helps to have read Operating Systems first, because some lessons build on it, but every lesson explains its own assumptions.
What should I read after Character Encodings?
Continue with Hashing & Checksums (2 lessons), the next course in Computer Science Fundamentals.
Last refreshed 2026-09-18.