What is the main purpose of encoding data in Base64 format?

The main task of encoding data in Base64 format is to convert binary data into a text format that can be safely transmitted over text-based protocols such as HTTP, email, or XML. Base64 encodes data using a set of 64 ASCII characters, which helps avoid issues with incompatible characters and preserves data integrity during transmission.

Example in Java:

import java.util.Base64;

public class Base64Example {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String original = "Sample text";
        String encoded = Base64.getEncoder().encodeToString(original.getBytes());
        System.out.println("Encoded: " + encoded);

        byte[] decodedBytes = Base64.getDecoder().decode(encoded);
        String decoded = new String(decodedBytes);
        System.out.println("Decoded: " + decoded);
    }
}