Description: A self-extractor is a program that is attached to a compressed archive (typically a zip file) to allow files to be extracted without using an archive reader such as Winzip (tm). Self-extractors are often used to distribute software. In this case, files are typically extracted into a temporary directory before a command is issued to initiate program installation. When installation is complete (or when the computer is restarted) the temporary directory should be deleted.Self-extractor programs are typically called SFXs. They may also be called sfx stub programs since they do not usually do anything useful unless attached to a zip file.