shar, unshar, uuencode, uudecode `shar' makes so-called shell archives out of many files, preparing them for transmission by electronic mail services. `unshar' helps unpacking shell archives after reception. Other related utility programs help with other tasks. `uuencode' prepares a file for transmission over an electronic channel which ignores or otherwise mangles the eight bit (high order bit) of bytes. `uudecode' does the converse transformation.