[Python-Dev] Why does base64 return bytes? (original) (raw)

Joao S. O. Bueno jsbueno at python.org.br
Tue Jun 14 11:29:25 EDT 2016


On 14 June 2016 at 12:19, Steven D'Aprano <steve at pearwood.info> wrote:

Is there a good reason for returning bytes?

What about: it returns 0-255 numeric values for each position in a stream, with no clue whatsoever to how those values map to text characters beyond the 32-128 range?

Maybe base64.decode could take a "encoding" optional parameter - or there could be a separate 'decote_to_text" method that would explicitly take a text codec name. Otherwise, no, you simply can't take a bunch of bytes and say they represent text.

João

(see ^- the "ã" ?)



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