Why is PHP's `bin2hex` and `hex2bin` the Right Tool for Converting Binary Data?

PHP Conversion Woes: Encoding and Decoding Hexadecimal

Converting between strings and hexadecimal values can lead to unexpected results when working with PHP. While custom functions like strToHex and hexToStr provide basic functionality, they may not always be the most suitable solution.

The initial code presented faces issues when applied to encrypted text using XOR. This is because the encryption process produces a binary result. Attempting to convert this binary to hexadecimal results in incorrect data.

The Solution: Bin2hex and Hex2bin

For encoding and decoding binary strings, PHP offers native functions bin2hex and hex2bin. These functions handle binary data effectively, ensuring accurate conversions.

To convert a binary string to hexadecimal, use bin2hex as follows:

bin2hex("that's all you need");
# Output: 74686174277320616c6c20796f75206e656564

To decode a hexadecimal string back to binary, use hex2bin:

hex2bin('74686174277320616c6c20796f75206e656564');
# Output: that's all you need

Note: Always ensure that the input and output data is in the expected format. Binary data should be used with bin2hex and hex2bin, while strings should be used with your custom functions strToHex and hexToStr.

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