Encode a PNG file to base64 and write the encoded string to a file.

base64_image_encoder.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
Filename: base64_image_encoder.py
Author: Robert Harrison
Date: September 30, 2025
Description: Encode a PNG file to base64 and write the encoded string to a file.
Usage: python base64_image_encoder.py <path_to_png_file>
       Example: pythonbase64_image_encoder.py input.py
       Base64 encoded image is saved to output.txt
"""

import base64
import sys

def encode_image_to_base64(image_path):
    """Encode a PNG file to base64 and return the encoded string."""
    try:
        with open(image_path, 'rb') as image_file:
            encoded_string = base64.b64encode(image_file.read())
            return encoded_string.decode('utf-8')
    except FileNotFoundError:
        print(f"Error: File '{image_path}' not found.")
        return None
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Error: {e}")
        return None

if __name__ == "__main__":
    if len(sys.argv) != 2:
        print("Usage: python base64_encoder.py <path_to_png_file>")
        sys.exit(1)
    
    image_path = sys.argv[1]
    encoded_image = encode_image_to_base64(image_path)
    
    if encoded_image:
        with open('output.txt', 'w') as output_file:
            output_file.write(encoded_image)
        print(f"Base64 encoded image saved to output.txt")