Alternative to base64_encode

Question

Are there any other encoding functions other than base64_encode for encoding text in PHP?

Edit: The purpose of the encoding functions:

To generate a string that can be used in a URL that can be used as an identifier.

For example, instead of http://www.something.com/?id=4&category=books&type=20

I would like to have:

http://www.something.com/?q=a3444aAbt3daj492klsj

So to get the variables one has to decode the only query string which is a hash.

Answer 1

Yes, convert_uuencode for instance, but it might be a good idea to explain what you are trying to do!