uudecode

decode file encoded with uuencode 

Command

SYNOPSIS

uudecode [-p] [file...]

DESCRIPTION

uudecode decodes data that was encoded by uuencode. (uuencode converts binary files into character files, and is often used for file transmission.) If a file is specified on the command line, uudecode decodes that file; if no file is specified, input is read from the standard input. Output is written to the file name that was specified when the file was encoded; see uuencode for more details. The permissions and name of the decoded file are recorded in the begin line of the encoded file.

uudecode automatically strips off any leading and trailing lines added by mailers.

Options

-p 

pads the short lines with trailing spaces. (Some mail systems strip off trailing spaces at the end of lines. uudecode reports these lines with a "line too short" error.)

DIAGNOSTICS

Possible exit status values are:

0 

Successful completion.

1 

Failure due to any of the following:

— inability to open the input file
— missing begin line in the input file
— missing end line in the input file
— inability to create the output file
— a file that is too short
2 

Failure because of an invalid command line option.

PORTABILITY

POSIX.2. x/OPEN Portability Guide 4.0. Windows 10. Windows Server 2016. Windows Server 2019. Windows 11. Windows Server 2022. Windows Server 2025. Generally found on most UNIX systems.

The -p option, and multiple file decoding, are extensions to the POSIX.2 and XPG standards.

AVAILABILITY

PTC MKS Toolkit for Power Users
PTC MKS Toolkit for System Administrators
PTC MKS Toolkit for Developers
PTC MKS Toolkit for Interoperability
PTC MKS Toolkit for Professional Developers
PTC MKS Toolkit for Professional Developers 64-Bit Edition
PTC MKS Toolkit for Enterprise Developers
PTC MKS Toolkit for Enterprise Developers 64-Bit Edition

SEE ALSO

Commands:
uuencode

PTC MKS Toolkit 10.5 Documentation Build 40.