Binaryworld - How to Encode/Decode URL using API ... [ VB -> Active Directory ]

Sometimes you might need to Encode/Decode URL programatically. This article will show you how easy it is using 2 undocumented APIs.

Encoding URL means convert any unusual character into escape code (e.g. space will be replaced by %20).

Decoding URL means convert escape code into actaul character (e.g. %20 will be replaced by space).

Step-By-Step Example

- Create a standard exe project
- Add the following code in form1

Click here to copy the following block

Private Const MAX_PATH          As Long = 260
Private Const ERROR_SUCCESS       As Long = 0

Private Const URL_ESCAPE_SEGMENT_ONLY  As Long = &H2000
Private Const URL_ESCAPE_PERCENT     As Long = &H1000
Private Const URL_UNESCAPE_INPLACE    As Long = &H100000

Private Const URL_INTERNAL_PATH     As Long = &H800000
Private Const URL_DONT_ESCAPE_EXTRA_INFO As Long = &H2000000
Private Const URL_ESCAPE_SPACES_ONLY   As Long = &H4000000
Private Const URL_DONT_SIMPLIFY     As Long = &H8000000

'Converts unsafe characters, such as spaces into their corresponding escape sequences.
'e.g. space => %20
Private Declare Function UrlEscape Lib "shlwapi" Alias "UrlEscapeA" _
    (ByVal pszURL As String, _
    ByVal pszEscaped As String, _
    pcchEscaped As Long, _
    ByVal dwFlags As Long) As Long

'Converts escape sequences back into ordinary characters.
Private Declare Function UrlUnescape Lib "shlwapi" Alias "UrlUnescapeA" _
    (ByVal pszURL As String, _
    ByVal pszUnescaped As String, _
    pcchUnescaped As Long, _
    ByVal dwFlags As Long) As Long

Private Sub Form_Load()
  Dim strURL As String, strEncodedURL As String, strDecodedURL As String, ret As Long

  strURL = InputBox("Enter URL to Encode", "URL Encode Demo", "www.binaryworld.net/send feedback.aspx")

  '//URL Encode Demo
  strEncodedURL = Space$(MAX_PATH)
  ret = UrlEscape(strURL, strEncodedURL, MAX_PATH, URL_DONT_SIMPLIFY)
  If ret = 0 Then
    strEncodedURL = Left$(strEncodedURL, MAX_PATH)
    MsgBox "Encoded URL : " & vbCrLf & strEncodedURL
  End If

  '//URL Decode Demo
  strURL = InputBox("Enter URL to Decode", "URL Decode Demo", "www.binaryworld.net/send%20feedback.aspx")
  strDecodedURL = Space$(MAX_PATH)
  ret = UrlUnescape(strURL, strDecodedURL, MAX_PATH, URL_DONT_SIMPLIFY)
  If ret = 0 Then
    strDecodedURL = Left$(strDecodedURL, MAX_PATH)
    MsgBox "Decoded URL : " & vbCrLf & strDecodedURL
  End If
End Sub

- Press F5 to run the project