URL Encoding
URL encoding is the method of using ASCII hexadecimal characters to display specific
characters in a URL. URL encoding is used for several reasons. On some operating
systems, certain characters are unsafe or not available, and others are reserved by the
HTML or URL specification. URL encoding is used to ensure compatibility and functionality
with most Internet browsers. As a general rule, use the URL hexadecimal encoding method
shown in the following tables when these characters appear in your URLs.
The following types of characters do not require encoding in a URL:
Alphanumerics
0-9
,
a-z
, or
A-Z
Special characters
$ _ _ . + ! * ( ) ,
Reserved characters
; / ? : @ = &
When used for their reserved purposes, these characters do not
require encoding within a URL.
Reserved characters
Reserved characters should not be encoded when they appear in their conventional
meaning in a URL. For example, do not encode the slash ( / ) when using it as part of the
URL syntax. Only encode unsafe characters (defined below) in your URLs.
The following table lists reserved characters.
Characters
Hex
Dec
$
Dollar
24
36
&
Ampersand
26
38
+
Plus
2B
43
,
Comma
2C
44
/
Forward slash or virgule
2F
47
;
Colon
3A
58
;
Semi-colon
3B
59
=
Equal
3D
61
?
Question mark
3F
63
@
“At” symbol
40
64
IPL T CR48 • Communication and Control
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