why apache-commons lib encoding space as + not as %20?

Question

i'm using URLCodec from Apache Commons Codec to encode URL, but it encode space as + NOT as %20

why? and what is the solution?

Answer 1

See this related question

Of course, you can always do url.replace("+", "%20"); if you need it (after encoding)

Answer 2

Because + is an equally valid way of encoding a space. What are you trying to "solve"?

Answer 3

The URLCodec encodes stuff suitable a submitted form, which is not the same as percent encoding a URL. There's more explanation in this question

See this question for how you should encode your URL.