uuencode(1C)

NAME
     uuencode, uudecode - encode/decode a binary file for transmission via
     mail

SYNOPSIS
     uuencode [ file ] name
     uudecode [ file ...]

DESCRIPTION
     Uuencode and uudecode are used to transmit binary files over transmission
     mediums that do not support other than simple ASCII data.

     Uuencode reads the named source file, file, (or by default, the standard
     input) and writes an encoded version to the standard output.  Normally it
     will be used as part of a pipeline, or with the output redirected to a
     file, similar to this:

               uuencode binarydatafile decoded_name | mail someuser

     In this case, when the file is decoded with uudecode after it is
     received, it will be called decoded_name.

     The encoding uses only printing ASCII characters, and includes the mode
     of the file and the operand name for use by uudecode.

     Uudecode transforms uuencoded files (or by default, the standard input),
     into the original form.  The resulting file is named name and will have
     the mode of the original file except that setuid and execute bits are not
     retained.  Uudecode ignores any leading and trailing lines.

     The encoded file is ordinary text and can be edited by any text editor to
     change the mode or the name.

SEE ALSO
     uucp(1C), uux(1C), mail(1), uuencode(4)

BUGS
     The encoded form of the file is expanded by 35% (3 bytes become 4 plus
     control information).