uuencode(1C)                                         uuencode(1C)



NAME
     uuencode, uudecode - encode and decode a binary file

SYNOPSIS
     uuencode [source-file] decoded-name

     uudecode [encoded-file]

ARGUMENTS
     decoded-name
          Specifies that name that the file is to have when it is
          decoded by uudecode.  This argument is required.  The
          uuencode command stores decoded-name, in the encoded
          file's header, as well as the permission mode of
          source-file, for use by uudecode.

     encoded-file
          Specifies the name of a file to be decoded.  If you do
          not specify this argument, uudecode reads from the
          standard input.

     source-file
          Specifies the name of a file to be encoded.  If you do
          not specify this argument, uuencode reads from the
          standard input.

DESCRIPTION
     uuencode reads a binary file, such as an executable program,
     converts the data to ASCII representation, and writes the
     converted data to the standard output.  The ASCII
     representation of the file can then be transferred by
     programs that handle only ASCII data, such as mail.  The
     encoded file is an ordinary ASCII text file that you can
     edit with any text editor.  But it is best only to change
     the permission mode and the value of encoded-file, stored in
     the header, which is the first line of the output, to avoid
     corrupting the decoded binary.

     The uudecode command converts an encoded file into its
     normal binary representation, removes any leading and
     trailing lines that may be added by mail programs, and
     creates the file so that it has the name and permission mode
     that is stored in the header of encoded-file.

LIMITATIONS
     The encoded file's size is expanded by 35 percent; 3 bytes
     become 4, plus control information, causing it to take
     longer to transmit than the equivalent binary.

     When you run uudecode, you must have permission to write the
     file by using the name stored in the header of the encoded
     file.  In addition, uudecode is owned by uucp and fails with



January 1992                                                    1

uuencode(1C)                                         uuencode(1C)



     a permission denied message if you run it in a directory
     whose permission mode does not allow other users to write.

FILES
     /usr/bin/uudecode
          Executable file
     /usr/bin/uuencode
          Executable file

SEE ALSO
     mail(1), uucp(1C), uux(1C)












































2                                                    January 1992