WinRT (Metro)– Extension Methods to Encode/Decode HTML and URL’s

Here are some String extension methods to handle Encoding/Decoding HTML and Encoding/Decoding URL’s. I use these a lot and the location seems to change based on what flavor of the framework you’re using and where. Having it as a String extension ensures I usually only have to remember that it exists as a string extension and for forgetful people like me, that saves time. :)

VB.Net

''' <summary>
''' HTML Encodes a string.
''' </summary>
''' <param name="buf"></param>
<Extension()> _
Public Function HtmlEncode(buf As String) As String
    Return System.Net.WebUtility.HtmlEncode(buf)
End Function

''' <summary>
''' HTML Decodes a string.
''' </summary>
''' <param name="buf"></param>
<Extension()> _
Public Function HtmlDecode(buf As String) As String
    Return System.Net.WebUtility.HtmlDecode(buf)
End Function

''' <summary>
''' Encodes text for use in a URL.
''' </summary>
''' <param name="urlText"></param>
<Extension()> _
Public Function UrlEncode(urlText As String) As String
    Return System.Net.WebUtility.UrlEncode(urlText)
End Function

''' <summary>
''' Decodes text for use in a URL.
''' </summary>
''' <param name="urlText"></param>
<Extension()> _
Public Function UrlDecode(urlText As String) As String
    Return System.Net.WebUtility.UrlDecode(urlText)
End Function

C# (Via Telerik's Code Converter)

/// <summary>
/// HTML Encodes a string.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="buf"></param>
public static string HtmlEncode(this string buf)
{
    return System.Net.WebUtility.HtmlEncode(buf);
}

/// <summary>
/// HTML Decodes a string.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="buf"></param>
public static string HtmlDecode(this string buf)
{
    return System.Net.WebUtility.HtmlDecode(buf);
}

/// <summary>
/// Encodes text for use in a URL.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="urlText"></param>
public static string UrlEncode(this string urlText)
{
    return System.Net.WebUtility.UrlEncode(urlText);
}

/// <summary>
/// Decodes text for use in a URL.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="urlText"></param>
public static string UrlDecode(this string urlText)
{
    return System.Net.WebUtility.UrlDecode(urlText);
}