ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

base58

Base58 is a way of writing numbers using letters and numbers. It can be used to identify things like Bitcoin addresses and digital files. With base58, each letter and number is given a number value, like how in regular counting the numbers 0 to 9 have the numbers 0 to 9. For example, the numbers and letters for base58 are: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,J,K,L,M,N,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,m,n,o,p,q,r,s,t,u,v,w,x,y,z

Then, when these numbers and letters are used together, they create a different number than they would if they were used individually or with regular counting. To make a base58 number, a person would start with a regular number (like 123456789) and then use the numbers and letters in base58 to make that same number (like 2m8Wf). To help with understanding base58, think of it like a secret code that can help protect digital information.