To store different data in databases, it has become a need to use an encoding. For example, passwords are strings, and to encode that in python, we use the encode() function. Okay, but what is encoding? Let’s find output.
What is Encoding
First, we need to understand what encoding is. So to start within python, the strings are stored in the form of Unicode, and for increasing the efficiency of storage of the strings, these unicodes are converted into a set of bytes. This complete process is known as encoding. Different encoding schemes are defined in the language, such as utf-8, ascii, ibm039, etc.
Python String encode()
Python string encode() is a built-in method used to convert unicodes of that string to any encodings that python supports. The encode() method encodes the string using a specified encoding. If no encoding is specified, then UTF-8 will be used.
With the help of the strings encode() method, encoding is also essential as it holds the key in the case of security.
Syntax
string_var.encode(encoding, errors)
See the following parameters.
Arguments
Encoding: Type of encoding in which the string parameters and shown.
Errors: Response was given when the encoding failed. There are about six encoding error responses.
Return value
It returns the encoded string.
In case of failure, it raises the UnicodeDecodeError exception.
Example programs on string encode() method
Write a program to show the mechanism of string encode()
# app.py str1 = "Hello and welcome to the world of pythön!" str2 = str1.encode() print(str2)
Output
➜ pyt python3 app.py b'Hello and welcome to the world of pyth\xc3\xb6n!' ➜ pyt
Write a program to encode a string bypassing both the parameters and show the output.
# app.py
str1 = "Hello pythön!!"
print(str1.encode("ascii", "replace"))
Output
➜ pyt python3 app.py b'Hello pyth?n!!' ➜ pyt
In today’s world, security holds the key to many applications.
Thus the need for secure storage of passwords in the database is required, and hence there is to save encoded versions of strings.
We can achieve this, python in its language, has defined “encode()” that encodes strings with the specified encoding scheme. There are several encoding schemes defined in the language.
Conclusion
Python encode() method encodes the string according to the provided encoding standard. By default, Python strings are in Unicode form but can also be encoded to other standards.
That’s it for this tutorial.
