Encoding functions

These functions can be used to encode and decode data into other formats, such as base64 and CBOR (Concise Binary Object Representation). It is particularly used when that data needs to be stored and transferred over media that are designed to deal with text. This encoding and decoding helps to ensure that the data remains intact without modification during transport.

encoding::base64::encode()

The encoding::base64::encode() function encodes a bytes to base64 with optionally padded output.

encoding::base64::encode(bytes) -> string

encoding::base64::encode(bytes, $pad_output: option<bool>) -> string

The following example shows this function, and its output, when used in a RETURN statement:

RETURN encoding::base64::encode(<bytes>"");

-- ''

RETURN encoding::base64::encode(<bytes>"2323");

-- 'MjMyMw'

RETURN encoding::base64::encode(<bytes>"hello");

-- 'aGVsbG8'

As of version 2.3.0, you can pass true as the second argument to enable padded base64 outputs:

RETURN encoding::base64::encode(<bytes>"", true);

-- ""

RETURN encoding::base64::encode(<bytes>"2323", true);

"MjMyMw=="

RETURN encoding::base64::encode(<bytes>"hello", true);

"aGVsbG8="

encoding::base64::decode()

The encoding::base64::decode() function decodes a string into bytes.

encoding::base64::decode(string) -> bytes

The following example shows this function, and its output, when used in a RETURN statement:

RETURN encoding::base64::decode("MjMyMw");

-- b"32333233"

You can also verify that the output of the encoded value matches the original value.

RETURN encoding::base64::decode("aGVsbG8") = <bytes>"hello";

-- true

encoding::cbor::decode()

The encoding::cbor::decode() function decodes bytes in valid CBOR format into a SurrealQL value.

encoding::cbor::decode(string) -> any

LET $some_bytes = encoding::base64::decode("omRjYm9yaGVuY29kaW5nYmlza3ByZXR0eSBuZWF0");
encoding::cbor::decode($some_bytes);

{
	cbor: 'encoding',
	is: 'pretty neat'
}

encoding::cbor::encode()

The encoding::cbor::encode() function encodes any SurrealQL value into bytes in CBOR format.

encoding::cbor::encode(any) -> bytes

encoding::cbor::encode({
    cbor: "encoding",
    is: "pretty neat"
});

b"A26463626F7268656E636F64696E676269736B707265747479206E656174"