if ( str == null ) {
            return new byte[0];
        }
        return str.getBytes(encoding);
    }


    /**
     * 
     * @param str
     * @return the string as bytes (UTF16-LE)
     */
    public static byte[] getUNIBytes ( String str ) {
        return getBytes(str, UNI_ENCODING);
    }


    /**
     * 
     * @param str
     * @return the string as bytes (ASCII)
     */