When using HTTP, which encoding is better, base64, yEnc, or uuencode?

Question

My requirement is to encode data and send it across network via HTTP, but I am stuck trying to choose the best encoding technique. Which of the three above is best? Is there anything better?

The criteria for "best" should be small size and fast encoding/decoding.

Answer 1

yEnc has less overhead but has other problems mentioned here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YEnc#Criticisms. What is "best" depends on the criteria you might have and how you plan to send data over the network. Are you using a web service, email or other means. You need to provide more details.

Edit: Since you are uploading data via HTTP, you do not need to use any of Base64, yEnc or Uuencode. You just use the standard http file upload built in facility in both browser and web server. See this question as a reference: How does HTTP file upload work? Also this reference: http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ABackToBasicsCaseStudyImplementingHTTPFileUploadWithASPNETMVCIncludingTestsAndMocks.aspx