UUencode– The basic unit of information – a byte – comprises of 8 on/off signals. Many file formats are 8 bit or binary. Uuencode helps to convert 8 bit data to 7 bit data which is required for Email which is a 7 bit medium. It accomplishes this by creating a single stream by joining all file bits together and then diving the stream in chunks of 7 bits. The emailed data must eventually be Uudecoded at the receiving end.