{"categories":[{"label":"Communications","url":"https://skillfed.io/packages/category/communications"}],"enrichment":{"capability":"Encodes and decodes data using Consistent Overhead Byte Stuffing (COBS), a method that eliminates zero bytes from encoded packets to enable reliable packet framing in communication protocols.","skillfed_tags":["packet-framing","serial-protocol","byte-encoding"],"use_cases":["Implement packet framing in serial communication protocols where zero bytes mark packet boundaries.","Encode binary data for transmission over channels that cannot safely transmit zero bytes.","Reduce packet size overhead compared to escape-based byte stuffing in bandwidth-constrained protocols.","Use COBS/R variant to minimize encoding overhead for small message payloads in embedded systems."],"what_it_does":"COBS is a byte-stuffing algorithm that encodes arbitrary binary data into a form containing no zero bytes (0x00), enabling zero bytes to serve as reliable packet delimiters in serial and network protocols. The package provides both basic COBS and COBS/R (a variant that reduces overhead) via Python modules with encode and decode functions. It includes a C extension for performance and a pure Python fallback for portability.\n\nThe encoding adds predictable overhead: always 1 byte plus potentially n/254 additional bytes for longer packets. This is more efficient than escape-based methods like PPP, which can double packet size in worst cases. The package accepts any buffer-protocol-compatible input (bytes, bytearray) and returns encoded/decoded bytes; framing (adding or stripping delimiter bytes) is left to the application.","worth_installing":"Yes. COBS is a well-established, stable algorithm with a mature implementation (Production/Stable, MIT license). Install it if you need reliable packet framing in serial/network protocols or must eliminate zero bytes from binary data. Medium install friction is acceptable given the C extension fallback. No known vulnerabilities."},"id":"cobs","links":{"html":"https://skillfed.io/packages/cobs","md":"https://skillfed.io/packages/cobs.md","pypi":"https://pypi.org/project/cobs/"},"maintenance":{"status":"aging"},"meta":{"latest_release":"2025-07-20","license_spdx":null,"license_treatment":"permissive","name":"cobs","python_support":"supports_current","summary":"Consistent Overhead Byte Stuffing (COBS)"},"popularity":{"monthly_downloads":119210,"position":12083,"tier":"top_15000"},"security":{"n_vulnerabilities":0},"version":"1.2.2"}