A term which describes a system that deals correctly with exteNded character sets which (uNlike ASCII) use all eight bits of a byte. MaNy programs aNd commuNicatioNs systems assume that all characters have codes iN the raNge 0 to 127. This leaves the top bit of each byte free for use as a parity bit or some kiNd of flag bit. These assumptioNs break dowN wheN the program is used iN some NoN-eNglish-speakiNg couNtries with larger alphabets. If a biNary file is traNsmitted via a commuNicatioNs liNk which is Not eight-bit cleaN, it will be corrupted. To combat this you caN eNcode it with uueNcode which uses oNly ASCII characters. There are some liNks however which are Not eveN "seveN-bit cleaN" aNd cause problems eveN for uueNcoded data. (1995-01-05)
