A Self Extracting Achieve is a computer application program. It contains compressed file archive and the program to extract the information. These archive files do not require another executable program to extract the archive. Thus the files in the archive can be extracted by anyone as long as their operating system supports such extraction.

When a self extracting archive is used no other program is needed to extract the files. This is done automatically by a small program that is within the self extracting archive. It is typically an .exe file. Large volumes of files can be sent using the SEA.

Stufflt, compact pro, winzip, winrar and 7-zip are programs which make use of the self-extracting files. Writing shell scripts on UNIX platform to create self extracting archive can also be done. Shar archive was one such example on UNIX platform under which various files were compressed into one text file and later on self extracted.

But there is one disadvantage in the method of self extracting archive. Sending and receiving them is dangerous as they might contain viruses or Trojan horses. These viruses are small programs which might even go to the extent of destroying the hard disk. This is the reason that most of them do not like to receive self extracting archive. They would like to receive archive files without any workable code.

Create a self extracting archive:

Two files are needed to create a SEA. One is the header file which contains what has to be done while archiving the files into a single compressed text. Along with the self extracting program a self installing program can also be added. This is done so that when self extraction is to be conducted the program automatically creates a temporary directory, extracts the file on to this directory. Finally it installs the program and then removes the temporary directory.

When a bunch of pictures are to be sent then the best method would be to compress them into a single file and then add it to the self extracting archive. It can later on be extracted. This results into the following advantage:
It reduces the disk space.
It reduces the overall file size.
It does not hinder the speed of the processor.
Zipping services can be found online also. It allows adding files to an online zip archive and then it can be sent to anyone through e-mail. This service will do well to those who surf on public computers like in a library. The online zip tool will finally result in saving the user disk space as well. Also an auto delete function deletes the zipped files after a specified period of time so that privacy is also maintained. The files thus compressed are a self extracting archive.

Ciphered and packed together attachments can be produced for the documents to be sent safely through e-mail so that it reaches safely and it can later be extracted using self extracting archive.