Ascii85 vs Base64

Developers should learn Ascii85 when working with file formats that require binary data to be stored as text, such as in PDF generation or PostScript processing meets developers should learn base64 when they need to embed binary data, such as images or files, into text-based formats like json, xml, or html, or when transmitting data over protocols that only support ascii characters, such as email or http headers. Here's our take.

Ascii85

Nice Pick

Developers should learn Ascii85 when working with file formats that require binary data to be stored as text, such as in PDF generation or PostScript processing

Pros

• It is particularly useful in scenarios where storage or transmission efficiency is critical, as it compresses data better than Base64, making it ideal for embedding images or other binary content in documents
• Related to: base64-encoding, binary-data

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Base64

Developers should learn Base64 when they need to embed binary data, such as images or files, into text-based formats like JSON, XML, or HTML, or when transmitting data over protocols that only support ASCII characters, such as email or HTTP headers

Pros

• It is essential for handling data in web development, API integrations, and security contexts like encoding credentials or cryptographic keys
• Related to: data-encoding, ascii

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Ascii85 if: You want it is particularly useful in scenarios where storage or transmission efficiency is critical, as it compresses data better than base64, making it ideal for embedding images or other binary content in documents and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Base64 if: You prioritize it is essential for handling data in web development, api integrations, and security contexts like encoding credentials or cryptographic keys over what Ascii85 offers.

The Bottom Line

Ascii85 wins

Developers should learn Ascii85 when working with file formats that require binary data to be stored as text, such as in PDF generation or PostScript processing