URL Encode for API Calls — Encode Request Parameters
Quick Answer: API query parameters must be URL-encoded to handle special characters safely. Most HTTP libraries (axios, fetch, requests) encode parameters automatically when using their params/query options. Manual encoding is needed when building URL strings directly.
FAQ
Do HTTP libraries encode parameters automatically?
Yes. Axios params, Python requests params, and URLSearchParams in fetch all handle encoding. Only manual string concatenation requires manual encoding.
Should I encode path parameters?
Yes, if they contain special characters. Use encodeURIComponent() for path segments that include user input (e.g., /users/{encodeURIComponent(name)}).