Appendix B — Everything You Never Wanted to Know about Encoding

(and were afraid to ask)

B.1 Objectives

• The concept of encoding
• Classic 8-bit encodings
• How to detect encodings
• Converting files
• Converting text once loaded
• Encoding “bit” versus actual text encoding
• When you are likely to encounter problems (with what sorts of files)
• Unicode encodings (UTF-8, UTF-16)
• How to avoid encoding headaches forever

B.2 Methods

Applicable methods for the objectives listed above.

B.3 Examples

Examples here.

B.4 Issues

UTF-16 in some operating systems (Windows).

Editors that are “encoding smart”.

B.5 Further Reading

Further reading here.

B.6 Exercises

Add some here.