code: String encodePath(String in) {
          try {
              String encodedString = HierarchicalUriComponents.encodeUriComponent(in, "UTF-8",
                      HierarchicalUriComponents.Type.PATH_SEGMENT);
              if (encodedString.startsWith(_design_prefix_encoded) ||
                      encodedString.startsWith(_local_prefix_encoded)) {
                  // we replaced the first slash in the design or local doc URL, which we shouldn't
                  // so let's put it back
                  return encodedString.replaceFirst("%2F", "/");
              } else {
                  return encodedString;
              }
          } catch (UnsupportedEncodingException uee) {
              // This should never happen as every implementation of the java platform is required
              // to support UTF-8.
              throw new RuntimeException(
                      "Couldn't encode ID " + in,
                      uee);
          }
      }
docs: Encode a path in a manner suitable for a GET request
  @param in The path to encode, eg "a/document"
  @return The encoded path eg "a%2Fdocument"