How do I convert a password to Base64 for Ldap, using Java?

Question

I am using ldap, working on java,there the password value is a base64 format, how to convert my normal text password sarath_dev to Base64 for Ldap?

Answer 1

For those who are not familiar with base64 encoding algorithm here is basic introduction. Base64 encodes (changes content of original String) String using an algorithm which uses 64 printable characters to replace each character in original string in an algorithmic sequence so that it can be decoded later. Base64 encoding prevents misuse of data by encoding it into ASCII format. Though there are more advanced encryption algorithm available like RSA-SHA and MD5 and you should use those in production but base64 is real simple and easy to use for simple encoding needs.

Encoding & Decoding String into Base64 In Java

Here is a quick example of encoding and decoding of String in base64 encoding algorithm. we will first encode String by converting it into byte array and than passing down to Base64.encodeBase64(byte[]) which encodes byte array as per base64 encoding algorithm and returns and encoded byte array, which can be converted into String. in Later half we will decode the String by calling Base64.decodeBase64(byte[]) method.

import org.apache.commons.codec.binary.Base64;
public class Base64EncodingExample{

    public static void main(String args[]) throws IOException {
        String orig = "original String before base64 encoding in Java";

        //encoding  byte array into base 64
        byte[] encoded = Base64.encodeBase64(orig.getBytes());     

        System.out.println("Original String: " + orig );
        System.out.println("Base64 Encoded String : " + new String(encoded));

        //decoding byte array into base64
        byte[] decoded = Base64.decodeBase64(encoded);      
        System.out.println("Base 64 Decoded  String : " + new String(decoded));

    }
}


Output:
Original String: original String before base64 encoding in Java
Base64 Encoded String : b3JpZ2luYWwgU3RyaW5nIGJlZm9yZSBiYXNlNjQgZW5jb2RpbmcgaW4gSmF2YQ==
Base 64 Decoded  String : original String before base64 encoding in Java