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Document:	VMS 5.0 Mail Utility Manual 198804
Order Number:	AA-LA07A-TE
Revision:
Pages:	131
Original Filename:	http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/vax/vms/5.0/AA-LA07A-TE_VMS_5.0_Mail_Utility_Manual_198804.pdf

OCR Text

VMS

VMS Mail Utility Manual

Order Number AA-LA07/t.-TE

VMS Mail Utility Manual
Order Number: AA-LA07 A-TE

April 1988
This manual describes the VMS Mail Utility.

Revision/Update Information:

This manual supersedes the VAX/VMS
Mail Utility Reference Manual,
Version 4.4.

Software Version:

VMS Version 5.0

digital equipment corporation
maynard, massachusetts

April 1988
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should
not be construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital
Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear
in this document.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license and may be
used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.
No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software on equipment
that is not supplied by Digital Equipment Corporation or its affiliated companies.
Copyright © 1988 by Digital Equipment Corporation
All Rights Reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.
The postpaid READER'S COMMENTS form on the last page of this document
requests the user's critical evaluation to assist in preparing future documentation.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
DEC
DEC/CMS
DEC/MMS
DECnet
DECsystem-10
DECSYSTEM-20
DECUS
DECwriter

DIBOL
EduSystem
IAS
MASSBUS
PDP
PDT
RSTS
RSX

UNIBUS
VAX
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VT

~D~Ull~DTM
ZK4549

HOW TO ORDER ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
DIRECT MAIL ORDERS
USA &. PUERTO RICO*

CANADA

INTERNATIONAL

Digital Equipment Corporation
P.O. Box CS2008
Nashua, New Hampshire
03061

Digital Equipment
of Canada Ltd.
100 Herzberg Road
Kanata, Ontario K2K 2A6
Attn: Direct Order Desk

Digital Equipment Corporation
PSG Business Manager
c/o Digital's local subsidiary
or approved distributor

In Continental USA and Puerto Rico call 800-258-1710.
In New Hampshire, Alaska, and Hawaii call 603-884-6660.
In Canada call 800-267-6215.
*Any prepaid order from Puerto Rico must be placed with the local Digital subsidiary (809-754-7575).
Internal orders should be placed through the Software Distribution Center (SOC), Digital Equipment
Corporation, Westminster, Massachusetts 01473.

Production Note
This book was produced with the VAX DOCUMENT electronic publishing
system, a software tool developed and sold by DIGITAL. In this system,
writers use an ASCII text editor to create source files containing text and
English-like code; this code labels the structural elements of the document,
such as chapters, paragraphs, and tables. The VAX DOCUMENT software,
which runs on the VMS operating system, interprets the code to format the
text, generate a table of contents and index, and paginate the entire document.
Writers can print the document on the terminal or line printer, or they can use
DIGITAL-supported devices, such as the LN03 laser printer and Postscript®
printers (PrintServer 40 or LN03R ScriptPrinter), to produce a typeset-quality
copy containing integrated graphics.

®>

PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc.

Contents
PREFACE

NEW AND CHANGED FEATURES

MAIL Description

MAIL-1

NOTIFICATION OF MAIL

MAIL-1

READING MAIL
New Messages
Old Messages
Creating a File from a Mail Message

MAIL-2
MAIL-2
MAIL-2
MAIL-3

3.4
3.5
3.6

SENDING MAIL
Sending Mail Using the DCL Command MAIL
Sending a Mail Message from Within the MAIL Utility
Sending a File
Sending a Message Between Systems
Sending Messages to Distribution Lists
Sending Messages Using DECnet-VAX

MAIL-4
MAIL-4
MAIL-5
MAIL-6
MAIL-6
MAIL-6
MAIL-7

DELETING MAIL

MAIL-8

5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4

MAIL-9
USING FOLDERS TO ORGANIZE MAIL MESSAGES
Organizing Mail - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MAIL-10
Creating and Modifying Folders - - - - - - - - - - MAIL-10
Selecting Folders - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MAIL-11
Deleting Folders - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MAIL-12

PROTECTION OF MAIL FILES

MAIL-12

CREATING A MAIL SUBDIRECTORY FOR LARGE
MESSAGES

MAIL-12

2.1

2.2
2.3

3
3.1
3.2

3.3

8
8.1

MAIL-13
SETTING THE DEFAULT EDITOR
_
_
_
_
MAIL-13
Using the MAIL Command Line Qualifier /EDIT

Contents

SYSTEM MANAGEMENT AND MAIL

MAIL-14

USING A KEYPAD IN MAIL

MAIL-15

MAIL STATUS MESSAGES

MAIL-17

MAIL Usage Summary

MAIL-18

MAIL Qualifiers

MAIL-19
/EDIT
/PERSONAL_NAME=NAME
/SELF
/SUBJECT

MAIL-20
MAIL-21
MAIL-22
MAIL-23

ANSWER
ATTACH
BACK
COMPRESS
COPY
CURRENT
DEFINE/KEY
DELETE
DIRECTORY
EDIT
ERASE
EXIT
EXTRACT
FILE
FIRST
FORWARD
HELP
LAST
MAIL
MARK
MOVE
NEXT
PRINT
PURGE
QUIT
READ
REMOVE
REPLY
SEARCH

MAIL-26
MAIL-28
MAIL-30
MAIL-31
MAIL-32
MAIL-35
MAIL-36
MAIL-39
MAIL-41
MAIL-44
MAIL-46
MAIL-47
MAIL-48
MAIL-50
MAIL-52
MAIL-53
MAIL-55
MAIL-56
MAIL-57
MAIL-59
MAIL-60
MAIL-62
MAIL-63
MAIL-66
MAIL-68
MAIL-69
MAIL-72
MAIL-73
MAIL-75

MAIL Commands

MAIL-24

Contents

SELECT
SEND
SET/SHOW AUTO_PURGE
SET/SHOW cc_PROMPT
SET/SHOW EDITOR
SET/SHOW COPV_SELF
SET/SHOW FILE
SET/SHOW FOLDER
SET/SHOW FORM
SET/SHOW FORWARD
SET/SHOW MAIL_DIRECTORY
SET/SHOW PERSONAL_NAME
SET/SHOW QUEUE
SET/SHOW WASTEBASKET_NAME
SHOW ALL
SHOW DELETED
SHOW KEY
SHOW NEW_MAIL_COUNT
SPAWN

MAIL-76
MAIL-79
MAIL-83
MAIL-84
MAIL-85
MAIL-86
MAIL-87
MAIL-88
MAIL-91
MAIL-92
MAIL-94
MAIL-95
MAIL-97
MAIL-98
MAIL-99
MAIL-101
MAIL-102
MAIL-103
MAIL-104

INDEX

FIGURES
MAIL-1

MAIL Hierarchy

MAIL-9

MAIL-2

Default Keypad Definitions

MAIL-16

vii

Preface
Intended Audience
This manual is intended for all users of the VMS operating system.

Document Structure
This document consists of the following sections:
•

Description-Provides a full description of the Mail Utility (MAIL).

•

Usage Summary-Outlines the following MAIL information:
- Invoking the utility
- Exiting from the utility
- Directing output
- Restrictions or privileges required

•

Qualifiers-Describes MAIL qualifiers, including format, parameters, and
examples.

•

Commands-Describes MAIL commands, including format, parameters,
and examples.

Associated Documents
For introductory information about the Mail Utility, see the Introduction to
VMS. For information on callable mail, see the VMS Utility Routines Manual.

Preface

Conventions
Convention

Meaning
In examples, a key name (usually abbreviated)
shown within a box indicates that you press
a key on the keyboard; in text, a key name is
not enclosed in a box. In this example, the key
is the RETURN key. (Note that the RETURN
key is not usually shown in syntax statements
or in all examples; however, assume that you
must press the RETURN key after entering a
command or responding to a prompt.)

CTRL/C

A key combination, shown in uppercase with a
slash separating two key names, indicates that
you hold down the first key while you press the
second key. For example, the key combination
CTRL/C indicates that you hold down the key
labeled CTRL while you press the key labeled C.
In examples, a key combination is enclosed in a
box.

$SHOW TIME
05-JUN-1988 11 :55:22

In examples, system output (what the system
displays) is shown in black. User input (what
you enter) is shown in red.

$ TYPE MYFILE.DAT

In examples, a vertical series of periods, or
ellipsis, means either that not all the data that
the system would display in response to a
command is shown or that not all the data a
user would enter is shown.

input-file,

In examples, a horizontal ellipsis indicates
that additional parameters, values, or other
information can be entered, that preceding
items can be repeated one or more times, or
that optional arguments in a statement have
been omitted.

[logical-name]

Brackets indicate that the enclosed item is
optional. (Brackets are not, however, optional
in the syntax of a directory name in a file
specification or in the syntax of a substring
specification in an assignment statement.)

quotation marks
apostrophes

The term quotation marks is used to refer
to double quotation marks ( 11 ). The term
apostrophe ( ') is used to refer to a single
quotation mark.

New and Changed Features
VMS Version 5.0 includes the following new MAIL commands and
qualifier:
•

SET EDITOR and SHOW EDITOR commands-Enable you to change
your editor and display the default editor. You can invoke any callable
editor available on your system.
Use the SET EDITOR command to specify an editor. To display your
default editor, enter the SHOW EDITOR command.

•

MARK command-Enables you to mark messages for future reference,
such as reminders of meetings and unanswered messages.
The MARK command sets a flag in the message header indicating that
the current or message-id message is marked. The Mail Utility displays
marked messages with an asterisk in the left-hand column of the directory
listing. The MARK command can take the/ ALL qualifier, which sets all
currently selected messages as marked or unmarked.
The UNMARK command clears a flag in the message header, setting the
current or message-id message as unmarked.

•

REMOVE command-Enables users with SYSNAM privilege to remove a
record from the profile, SYS$SYSTEM:VMSMAIL_pROFILE.DATA.

•

SET [NO]FORM and SHOW FORM commands-Enable you to set,
remove, and display your default print form.
Use the new SET FORM command to specify your default print form.
This prevents jobs from sitting in the queue with a pending status because
their print form does not match the queue specified by the SET QUEUE
command. To remove a default form setting, enter the SET NOFORM
command. To display your default print form, enter the SHOW FORM
command.

•

SET [NO]QUEUE and SHOW QUEUE commands-Enable you to set,
remove, and display your default print queue.
Use the new SET QUEUE command to specify your default print queue.
To remove a default queue setting, enter the SET NOQUEUE command.
To display your default print queue, enter the SHOW QUEUE command.

•

SET [NO]CC_pROMPT and SHOW cc_pROMPT commands-Enable
you to send copies of a message with a Carbon Copy (CC:) prompt,
which appears in the message header.
To display whether carbon copy prompting is enabled, enter the SHOW
CC_pROMPT command.

•

/PERSONAL_NAME qualifier-Enables you to specify a personal name
when sending a message.

New and Changed Features

Changes to existing MAIL commands follow:
•

DIRECTORY, READ, SELECT, and SET /SHOW FOLDER commandsPrior to Version 5.0, if a folder name was not specified, MAIL displayed
or selected messages from the current folder. Now MAIL displays or
selects messages from the NEWMAIL folder, if it exists. If there is no
NEWMAIL folder, messages from the MAIL folder are displayed or
selected.

•

ANSWER and REPLY commands-Prior to Version 5.0, when you
used the REPLY or ANSWER command to reply to a message, the
subject was the same as in the current message. You can now specify
a different subject when replying to or answering a message with the
/SUBJECT="subject text" qualifier.

•

SET COPY_SELF and SHOW COPY_SELF commands-Prior to Version
5.0, the SET COPY_SELF command returned to you a copy of the
message you sent via the SEND or REPLY command. You can now also
return a copy of a message being forwarded by using the FORWARD
command.
To automatically give yourself copies of messages that you forward, enter
the SET COPY_SELF FORWARD command. Enter the SHOW
COPY_SELF command to indicate if copying is enabled and, if so, with
what command. To remove default copying of forwarded messages, enter
the SET COPY_SELF NOFORWARD command.

xii

•

DELETE command-Prior to Version 5.0, you could delete only a
currently selected message or a message specified by its number. The
DELETE command now accepts ranges and lists of message numbers to
be deleted.

•

FIRST/EDIT, LAST/EDIT, and CURRENT/EDIT commands-The editor
is no longer required to be a callable editor.

•

PURGE/RECLAIM/STATISTICS command-This command is enhanced
and now displays statistics on deleted messages.

•

SHOW ALL command-This command is enhanced to display
information on the CC: prompt, default print queue, and default print
form.

•

DIRECTORY command-Prior to Version 5.0, you could only search
through a MAIL directory line by line. The DIRECTORY command now
accepts the /EDIT qualifier to enable you to find messages in MAIL
folders easily by either scrolling through folders or searching for text. The
qualifier invokes your editor and reads the MAIL directory into an editing
buffer.

•

FORWARD command-Prior to Version 5.0, when forwarding a
message, you could not copy the message to yourself. The FORWARD
command now accepts the /[NO]SELF qualifier, which enables or disables
forwarding yourself a copy of a message. The default is /NOSELF.

•

SEND command-Prior to Version 5.0, you could specify the /EDIT
qualifier to invoke the editor when sending a message. The SEND
command now accepts the /LAST qualifier with the /EDIT qualifier to
edit the message you are sending.

New and Changed Features

•

MAIL, SEND, REPLY, and FORWARD commands-These commands
allow two new qualifiers: /PERSONAL-NAME and /CC-PROMPT.
The /[NO]PERSONAL_NAME qualifier enables you to specify, or not
specify, a personal name when sending the current message. The
/CC_pROMPT qualifier prompts for the CC: line in the mail header.
This qualifier overrides the SET CC_pROMPT command.

•

PRINT command-Many new qualifiers have been added to the PRINT
command. These qualifiers enhance control over the execution and
output of print jobs.
Qualifier

Function

/CANCEL

Cancels all messages that have been
queued for printing during the current
session.

/NOW

Sends all messages that have been queued
for printing during this session to the
printer. Enables you to print a job without
exiting MAIL. Synonymous with the
/PRINT qualifier.

I AFTER=time

Requests the job not be printed until a
specific time.

/FORM=form _name

Specifies the name or number of the form
you want for the print job. The form
type must be a numeric or alphanumeric
name. Codes for types are installationdefined. Issue the SHOW QUEUE/FORM
command for the form types available on
your system.

/[NO]HOLD

Controls whether the message is available
to print immediately.

/[NO]BURST=keyword

Controls whether a burst page is printed
preceding a message. Keywords are ALL
and ONE. ALL keyword indicates that eact
message in the job will be preceded by a
burst page and flag page. ONE keyword
indicates that a burst page will apply only
to the first copy of the first message in
the job.

/[NO]FEED

Controls whether the PRINT command
automatically inserts form feeds when it
nears the end of a page.

/[NO]FLAG=keyword

Controls whether a flag page is printed
preceding a message. Keywords are ALL
and ONE. ALL keyword indicates that eact
message in the job will be preceded by
flag page. ONE keyword indicates that a
flag page will apply only to the first copy
of the first message in the job.

xiii

New and Changed Features

•

xiv

Qualifier

Function

/[NO]SPACE

Controls whether output is to be doublespaced.

/[NO]TRAILER=keyword

Controls whether a trailer page is printed
at the end of message. Keywords are ALL
and ONE. ALL keyword indicates that each
message in the job will be followed by a
trailer page. ONE keyword indicates that a
trailer page will apply only to the last copy
of the last message in the job.

SELECT, SET FOLDER, DIRECTORY, and READ commands-These
commands include the following new qualifiers that enable you to select
messages:
Qualifier

Function

/FROM_SUBSTRING=text

Selects messages that contain "textn in
the FROM field of the message

/TO_SUBSTRING=text

Selects messages that contain "textn in
the TO field of the message

/CC_SUBSTRING=text

Selects messages that contain "textn in
the CC field of the message

/SUBJECT_SUBSTRING=text

Selects messages that contain "textn in
the SUBJECT field of the message

/[NO]MARKED

Selects messages that you have marked.
The /NOMARKED qualifier selects
messages you have not marked

/[NO]REPLIED

Selects messages that have been replied
to via the REPLY command. The
/NOREPLIED qualifier selects messages
you have not replied to

•

SHOW FORWARD command-Prior to Version 5.0, you could not list
forwarding information for users. Now you can use the /ALL qualifier to
list all users with forwarding addresses. This qualifier must be used with
the /USER qualifier. The /USER qualifier lists the forwarding address of
those users specified.

•

SHOW PERSONAL-NAME command-Prior to Version 5.0, you could
not list personal name information for users. The /ALL qualifier lists
personal name information for every user defined or displays a message.
This qualifier must be used with the /USER qualifier. The /USER
qualifier lists the personal name of those users specified.

New and Changed Features

•

User Profile-Prior to Version 5.0, the user profile was named
SYS$SYSTEM:VMSMAIL.DAT. The user profile name has been changed
to SYS$SYSTEM:VMSMAILJROFILE.DATA. In addition to user name,
forwarding address, personal name, auto purge flag, subdirectory name,
and new mail count, VMSMAILJROFILE.DATA includes the following
new items:
•

Default queue (SET QUEUE)

•

Default form (SET FORM)

•

Copy SEND /REPLY /FORWARD flags (SET COPY-SELF)

•

Carbon copy prompt flag (SET CCJROMPT)

•

Editor name (SET EDITOR)

MAIL Description
The interactive Mail Utility (MAIL) allows you to send and receive messages,
as well as to file, forward, delete, and reply to messages you have received.
The messages that you receive are stored in files called mail files. Your
default mail file, called MAIL.MAI, is created in your default directory the
first time you receive a mail message. You can create other mail files to
accompany MAIL.MAI by using the COPY, FILE, or MOVE commands.
To invoke the interactive Mail Utility, enter the DCL command MAIL.
$ MAIL
MAIL>

You can display information about MAIL commands by entering HELP
in response to the MAIL> prompt. To exit from MAIL, enter the MAIL
command EXIT or press CTRL/Z.
The following sections describe characteristics of the Mail Utility. All
examples displaying an editor are EDT-specific.

Notification of Mail
If you are logged in to a system that has been brought up as a DECnet-VAX

node and a user on another node on the network sends you mail, MAIL
notifies you with a message on your terminal screen as follows:
New mail on node URANUS from JUPITER: :JAIME

(13:40:07)

In this example, you are on node URANUS and the user sending you mail is
JAIME. JAIME is sending mail from node JUPITER (not the same node that
you are logged on to).
When you receive mail from a user on your own node, MAIL notifies you
with a message similar to the following:
New mail on node SATURN from JOHNSON

(10:02:24)

In this example, you are on node SATURN and the user sending you mail
is JOHNSON. JOHNSON is sending mail from the same node that you are
logged on to (SATURN). See Section 3.6 for more information about using
DECnet-VAX to send messages over the network.
When you are not connected to the network, MAIL displays a message
without the node name as follows:
New mail from WHITNEY

Note that you cannot receive mail from another node if you are not on the
network or if the network is down.
You are also notified that you have new mail messages when you log in and
when you invoke MAIL. The message looks similar to the following:
You have 2 new messages.

See Section 2 for information on how to read your mail messages.

Note: The date and time that appear on mail messages reflect the receiver's
time, not the sender's time.
MAIL-1

MAIL Description

Reading Mail
In order to read a mail message, you must invoke the interactive Mail Utility.
Messages that you receive are stored in mail files, which have a default file
type of MAI.

2.1

New Messages
When you are logged in and receive a mail message, notice of the new
message appears on your terminal screen. For example, a message sent by a
user named ANDREWS would appear as:
New mail from ANDREWS

To read a new mail message, invoke MAIL interactively; MAIL prompts for
a command and, if you have received mail, displays the number of mail
messages you have received.
$ MAIL

You have 1 new message.
MAIL>

To read the new message, press RETURN; the message appears on your
screen.
#1

From:
To:
Subj:

1-JUN-1988

14:12:27

NEWMAIL

ADAMSON
BOSS
Meeting of June 9

The meeting has been moved from the auditorium to the
cafeteria.
MAIL>

To continue reading your new mail messages, press RETURN in response to
the MAIL> prompt. Pressing RETURN in MAIL is equivalent to entering the
READ command without parameters. When you have read all new messages,
MAIL issues the message "%MAIL-E-NOMOREMSG, no more messages,"
and continues to prompt for commands until you exit by entering EXIT or
pressing CTRL/Z.

If you receive a mail message while you are in interactive MAIL, enter the
READ /NEW command to read the new message.

2.2

Old Messages
To read old mail messages, invoke the Mail Utility and press RETURN. If you
have no new mail messages, the first message (numbered 1) in your default
mail file appears on your screen. Press RETURN to display the next message.
If the message is too long to be displayed on one screen, press RETURN to
display the remaining text of the message. To skip the remaining part of a
message and display the next message, enter the NEXT command.

MAIL-2

MAIL Description

You can select and display a particular message by entering the READ
command and the number of the message. Enter the DIRECTORY command
for a list of messages, the date they were sent, and their subject.
MAIL> DIRECTORY
MAIL
# From

Date

1 BRUTUS: :OSGOOD

17-NOV-1988
17-NOV-1988

2 ADAMSON

Subject
our meeting
status

MAIL> READ 2

If you have a large number of messages, you can locate a particular message
by using the SEARCH command to find a specified string. The SEARCH
command selects and displays the first message that contains the specified
string. To search for a new string, specify the string as a parameter of the
SEARCH command. Each time you specify a new string, the SEARCH
command starts the search at message number 1. To continue searching
for messages that contain the specified string, enter the SEARCH command
without specifying a parameter.
MAIL> SEARCH STAFF

Selects and displays the first message containing 'staff'.
MAIL> SEARCH

Selects and displays the next message containing 'staff'.
MAIL> SEARCH
%MAIL-E-NOTFOUND, no messages containing 'STAFF' found

2.3

Creating a File from a Mail Message
To copy a mail message to a sequential file, use the EXTRACT command. The
following commands create a file named MEETING.TXT containing the text
of message number 3. (The /NOHEADER qualifier specifies that only the text
of the message is to be copied to the file.) In this case, BOSS is a logical name
you have previously defined (using the DCL command DEFINE) to equate to
your supervisor.
MAIL> READ 3
#3

1-JUN-1988

14:12:27

MAIL

From: ADAMSON
To:
BOSS
Subj : Meeting of June 9
The meeting has been moved from the auditorium to the
cafeteria.
MAIL> EXTRACT/NOHEADER MEETING.TXT

Use the /APPEND qualifier of the EXTRACT command to copy a message to
the end of an existing file. Use the /ALL qualifier to copy all the messages in
the current folder to an existing file (Section 5 discusses folders).

MAIL-3

MAIL Description

Sending Mail
You can send mail to users from within the Mail Utility or from the DCL
command level.

3.1

Sending Mail Using the DCL Command MAIL
You can· use a single command line to send a file to one or more users by
specifying parameters when you enter the DCL command MAIL. When
you use the MAIL command with parameters, the command string has the
following format:
$ MAIL [/SUBJECT="text"] [/[NO] PERSONAL_NAME="text "] [/[NO] SELF] filespec recipient-name

The "text" is the subject of the message. If you include more than one word,
you must enclose the text in quotation marks. If you omit the /SUBJECT
qualifier, the message is sent without a subject notation.
The /PERSONAL _NAME qualifier enables you to specify a personal name
when sending a message.
The /SELF qualifier enables MAIL to send back to you a copy of the message
you are sending.
Filespec is the name of the file to be mailed. If you specify SYS$INPUT as
the file specification, you are prompted for the text of the message (while still
remaining at the DCL level), as the following example shows:
$ MAIL SYS$INPUT:
To: ARMSTRONG

Enter your message below. Press CTRL/Z when complete, or CTRL/C to quit:
The text of the message is here.
lcTRL/ZI
$

If you do not specify a parameter as the file specification in the command

string, you receive the MAIL> prompt, indicating that you are now in the
interactive MAIL Utility.
No wildcard characters are allowed in the file specification. If you omit the
file type, the default file type is TXT.
The recipient-name is either the name of a user, or users, or a distribution
list to which the file is mailed (see Section 3.5 for more information about
distribution lists). If you do not specify a recipient-name in the command
string, you are prompted. If you specify more than one recipient-name,
separate the names with commas.
If the recipient-name is a distribution list, specify the full file name and file
type of the list and precede it with an at sign ( @). If you don't include the

file type of the distribution list (.DIS), place quotation marks around the at
sign and list name (for example, "@listname"). The quotation marks identify
the name as a distribution list and force the system to search for a file with
the file type DIS (the default file type for a distribution list). Without the
quotation marks, the system looks for a command file (default file type of
COM) after an at sign. See Section 3.5 for more information on distribution
lists.
·

MAIL-4

MAIL Description

The following command string contains one qualifier and three parameters:
$ MAIL/SUBJECT="for your information" MEETING THOMAS,©FRIENDS.DIS

•

subject text "for your information" (qualifier)

•

filespec (MEETING) (parameter)

•

recipient names (THOMAS,@FRIENDS.DIS) (parameters)

Because the name of the file being mailed does not include the file type,
MAIL assumes the default file type TXT. In other words, the current default
directory is searched for a file named MEETING.TXT. Also, notice that a
comma separates the two recipient names (one of which is a single user, the
other a distribution list).
The following command string has two parameters: a file named NOTICE
and a distribution list named WRITERS. The Mail Utility assumes the default
file type of TXT for the file NOTICE, and the default file type of DIS for the
distribution list (because the name of the list is enclosed in quotation marks).
Finally, because the /SUBJECT qualifier is not included, the message is sent
without a subject notation.
$ MAIL NOTICE "©WRITERS"

3.2

Sending a Mail Message from Within the MAIL Utility
After invoking the Mail Utility, enter the SEND command to create and send
a mail message. MAIL prompts you for the names of the users to whom you
want to send the message, the subject of the message (optional), and the text
of the message (optional). The following example sends a message to a user
named ANDREWS:
MAIL> SEND
To:
ANDREWS
Subj:
Meeting of June 9
Enter your message below. Press CTRL/Z when complete, or CTRL/C to quit:
Sorry I cannot make the meeting: I'll be on vacation
during that week. Let me know how it goes.
Frank

Note that pressing CTRL/Z actually sends the message.
If you decide not to send the message, press CTRL/C, which cancels the
SEND operation without exiting from MAIL.

To use the editor when sending a mail message interactively, enter the /EDIT
qualifier with the SEND command.
MAIL> SEND/EDIT

After you respond to the prompts for the names to whom you want to send
the message and for the subject of the message, MAIL invokes the editor,
which you can use to compose your message. By default, MAIL invokes the
EDT editor. To send the message, exit from the editor by pressing CTRL/Z
and entering the EXIT command; to cancel the send operation, exit from the
editor by pressing CTRL/Z and entering the QUIT command.
In addition to the SEND command, you can use the /EDIT qualifier with
the REPLY and FORWARD commands. By entering /EDIT when you invoke
the Mail Utility, you can use the editor for SEND, REPLY, or FORWARD
operations during the ensuing mail session.
MAIL-5

MAIL Description

3.3

Sending a File
To send a file to one or more users, enter either the DCL command MAIL
or the SEND command of the Mail Utility. The following DCL command
sends the file MEMO.TXT to a user named FRANKLIN. The argument to the
/SUBJECT qualifier must be enclosed in quotation marks if it contains any
spaces or nonalphanumeric characters.
$ MAIL/SUBJECT="Another memo" MEMO.TXT FRANKLIN

If you use the SEND command from within interactive MAIL, you can enter
the /EDIT qualifier to edit the file before sending it. The following example
invokes the editor to edit the file MEMO.TXT before sending the file to a user
named MULLEN.
MAIL> SEND/EDIT MEMO.TXT
To:
MULLEN
Subj:
The memo I promised you.

To send the message, press CTRL/Z and enter the EXIT command; to cancel
the SEND operation, press CTRL/Z and enter the QUIT command.

3.4

Sending a Message Between Systems
To send a message to a user on another system over the network, specify the
node name of that system, a double colon, and the user name.
nodename: :username

For example, to send a message to a user named OSGOOD on a node named
BRUTUS, enter the following:
MAIL> SEND
To:
BRUTUS: :OSGOOD

3.5

Sending Messages to Distribution Lists
If you frequently send mail to the same group of users, you may find it
helpful to use a distribution list. A distribution list is a file containing the
names and nodes of users to whom you want to send messages. You can
create a file containing a list of users and specify the file name rather than the
individual user names when you send mail to those users. The default file
type of a distribution list file is DIS.

To set up a distribution list, use the DCL command EDIT or CREATE to
create a distribution list file with the file type DIS. Enter one user name
per line in this file. A distribution list can also include the names of other
distribution lists. Your open file quota determines the number of different
nodes to which you can send mail (at one time) and the depth to which you
can nest distribution lists. You can include comments by entering lines whose
first character is an exclamation point ( ! ).
You can also include the names of other distribution lists by specifying an at
sign(@) followed by the name of the distribution list. The following example
shows how to create a distribution list:

MAIL-6

MAIL Description

ALLBUD.DIS
Budget Committee Members
©BUDGET
! listed in BUDGET.DIS
! Staff
USER
me
BRUTUS: :WILSON ! Martha Wilson
PORTIA: : RIPLEY ! Roy Ripley

To use the distribution list, type an at sign (@) and then the file name in
response to the To: prompt. For example:
MAIL> SEND
To:
©ALLBUD
Subj:
Tomorrow's Meeting

You can specify more than one distribution list in response to the To: prompt.
MAIL> SEND
To:
©USERS,©ALLBUD
Subj:
Tomorrow's Meeting

MAIL delivers only one copy of the mail message to each fully translated
user. For instance, notice how user KLEE is defined as FRED in the following
distribution list:
$ DEFINE FRED KLEE
$CREATE MY.DIS
KLEE
NODE! : : MARSALA
FRED
MARSALA

User KLEE receives only one copy of the message, since FRED and KLEE are
the same username. User MARSALA on NODEl and user MARSALA on the
current node each receive one copy because they are on different nodes.

3.6

Sending Messages Using DECnet-VAX
If you include a node name with the user name, the message is sent by means
of DECnet-VAX to that user. If you omit the node name, MAIL assumes that
the user is on your node. If you omit the node name and the user is not on
your node, MAIL issues an error message.
You can specify node names and user names as logical names. If you
frequently send messages to certain users on other nodes, you may want
to set up logical names which define their addresses. For example, if the user
Arthur King is on node KAMLOT and you did not assign a logical name, you
would have to type the following:
To: KAMLOT: : KING

In this example, you could have made the following logical name assignment:
$DEFINE ART KAMLOT::KING

Now to send mail to KAMLOT::KING, you can simply respond to the prompt
with the logical name ART.
$ MAIL
To: ART

MAIL-7

MAIL Description

You should enter the appropriate DEFINE commands in your LOGIN.COM
file. See the DCL command DEFINE for more information about defining
logical names.
If you define a logical name for a username, you may produce a forwarding
loop. For instance, if you define KLEE to be MYNODE::KLEE, and send
mail to KLEE while you are logged in on MYNODE, MAIL detects a
forwarding loop because MAIL strips the nodename when it is the same
as the name of your current node. To allow this kind of logical name (in a
LOGIN.COM file, for example) and avoid a forwarding loop, use the qualifier
/TRANSLATION _ATTRIBUTES=TERMINAL when you define the logical
name:
$ DEFINE/TRANSLATION_ATTRIBUTES=TERMINAL KLEE MYNODE: :KLEE

Deleting Mail
To delete a mail message, either specify the number of the mail message as
the parameter of the DELETE command or read the message (to make it the
current message) and enter the DELETE command without parameters. For
example, to select and delete message number 3, enter the following:
MAIL> READ 3
1-JUN-1988 14:12:27

From:
To:
Subj:

MAIL

USER
BOSS
Meeting of June 9

The meeting has been moved from the auditorium to the
cafeteria.
MAIL> DELETE

The following command has the same effect as the preceding example:
MAIL> DELETE 1

You may also delete several mail messages using one DELETE command by
specifying a range or a list of messages to be deleted, as follows:
MAIL> DELETE 1,3,5-7,9:11
MAIL>

This example shows how to delete mail messages 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11.
The hyphen and colon are used to designate a range of numbers.
When you delete a message, the message is moved to the wastebasket folder.
During your interactive MAIL session you can recover any deleted message
by moving the message out of the wastebasket folder. (See Section 5 for
a detailed discussion on folders). When you exit from the current mail file
(either by exiting from MAIL or by specifying a different mail file), MAIL
automatically deletes all messages in the wastebasket folder.
By default, the wastebasket folder is named WASTEBASKET. Use the SET
WASTEBASKET_NAME command to specify a different name for the
wastebasket folder. Use the SHOW WASTEBASKET_NAME command to
display the current name of the wastebasket folder.

MAIL-8

MAIL Description

Using Folders to Organize Mail Messages
You can use mail files to organize mail messages. For example, you can
create a mail file named GRADES.MAI and use it to collect mail messages
containing information about test scores. Or, you can create a mail file named
MEMOS.MAI and use it to collect memos.
All mail files are subdivided into folders. By default, your mail file
(MAIL.MAI) contains a folder named MAIL. The MAIL folder contains
messages that you have already read. When you receive new mail messages,
they automatically enter a folder named NEWMAIL. After you read the
messages in the NEWMAIL folder, they automatically move into the MAIL
folder. The NEWMAIL folder disappears after you have read all new mail
messages and either select another folder or exit from MAIL.
When you delete a message it automatically moves into the WASTEBASKET
folder. Deleted messages collect in the WASTEBASKET folder until you
empty it. To empty the WASTEBASKET folder, enter either the EXIT or
PURGE command.
You can create as many folders as you want. You can use the COPY, FILE, or
MOVE command to create folders. The name of the folder you are currently
in is displayed at the top right corner of the screen when you enter the
READ or DIRECTORY command. You can enter the DIRECTORY /FOLDER
command to see a display of the existing folders in the current mail file. You
can remove a folder by deleting all the messages it contains. See Section 5.4
for more information on deleting folders.
Figure MAIL-1 shows the MAIL hierarchy. The Mail Utility contains mail
files; a mail file contains folders; and a folder contains mail messages.
Figure MAIL-1

MAIL Hierarchy
•=MAIL MESSAGE

M
A
I

F
I

L
E

FOLDER

•
•

FOLDER

••
••

FOLDER

• ••
• ••

•••

ZK-1618-84

MAIL-9

MAIL Description

5. 1

Organizing Mail
By default, each account has one mail file (MAIL.MAI in your login default
directory), which contains two folders:
•

NEWMAIL - Contains all messages that have not been read. If you
enter MAIL and NEWMAIL contains one or more messages, your current
folder is NEWMAIL. Once you leave NEWMAIL (either by exiting from
MAIL or by changing folders), MAIL moves any messages that have been
read and not deleted to your MAIL folder; the messages moved to MAIL
are deleted from NEWMAIL.

•

MAIL - Contains messages that have been read and not deleted. If you
invoke mail and NEWMAIL contains no messages, your current folder is
MAIL.

You can create any number of mail files. Each mail file can contain any
number of folders. Each folder can contain any number of messages.
Typically, you organize your messages by creating folders rather than by
creating mail files. If your mail file is very large (over 500 blocks), you may
want to create separate mail files for the larger folders to improve the Mail
Utility's performance.

5.2

Creating and Modifying Folders
The following commands allow you to create and modify folders:
•

COPY -

Places a copy of the current message into the specified folder.

If the folder does not exist, you are prompted for confirmation before it is

created. The following commands copy all the messages containing the
word MEETING from the current folder to a folder named SCHEDULE.
After the commands are executed, you have two copies of each message,
one in the current folder and one in SCHEDULE.
MAIL> SEARCH MEETING

Selects and displays first message containing "MEETING."
MAIL> COPY SCHEDULE
Folder SCHEDULE does not exist.
Do you want to create it (Y/N, default is N)?Y
%MAIL-I-NEWFOLDER, folder SCHEDULE created
MAIL> SEARCH

Selects and displays next message containing "MEETING."
MAIL> COPY SCHEDULE
MAIL> SEARCH
%MAIL-E-NOTFOUND, no messages containing 'MEETING' found

•

MOVE - Moves the current message into the specified folder. If the
folder does not exist, you are prompted for confirmation of its creation.
After being moved, the message is automatically deleted from the current
folder. The following command moves the current message to the folder
named SCHEDULE, deleting it from the current folder:
MAIL> MOVE SCHEDULE

•

MAIL-10

FILE -

Interchangeable with the MOVE command.

MAIL Description

To work within a mail file other than the default mail file, use the SET
FILE command to specify the alternate file. (The SHOW FILE command
displays the name of the current mail file.) When you change mail files, the
WASTEBASKET folder of the current mail file is emptied and the mail file is
closed.

5.3

Selecting Folders
The name of the current folder is displayed in the top right corner of the
screen each time you enter a READ or DIRECTORY command. You can
select only those messages that are in your current folder.
To display a list of the folders in your current mail file, enter the
DIRECTORY /FOLDER command.
MAIL> DIRECTORY/FOLDER
Listing of folders in SYS$LOGIN: [USER]MAIL.MAI;1
Press CTRL/C to cancel listing
MAIL
MEETING_MINUTES
MEMOS
PROJECT_NOTES
STAFF

To select a new folder as your current folder, use one of the following
commands:
•

SELECT -

Selects the specified folder as the current folder.

MAIL> SELECT STAFF
%MAIL-I-SELECTED, 4 messages selected

•

DIRECTORY - Selects the specified folder as the current folder and lists
the messages in the folder.
MAIL> DIRECTORY STAFF
# From
1 BRUTUS: :OSGOOD
2 BRUTUS : : OSGOOD
3 CAESAR: :USER
4 BRUTUS : : OSGOOD

•

Date
12-NOV-1988
19-NOV-1988
20-NOV-1988
3-DEC-1988

STAFF
Subject
Staff meeting
Staff meeting
Goodbye Sarah
Staff meeting

READ - Selects the specified folder as the current folder and displays
the specified message (by default, the first message in the folder).
MAIL> READ STAFF
#1
12-NOV-1988
From:
To:
Subj:

14:12:28

STAFF

BRUTUS: :OSGOOD
JULIUS: :USER
Staff meeting

The weekly staff meeting was cancelled due to the
conference in Denver.
MAIL>

MAIL-11

MAIL Description

5.4

Deleting Folders
To delete a mail folder, delete all the messages in the folder. The following
example deletes the WINTER folder:
MAIL> SELECT WINTER
%MAIL-I-SELECTED, 2 messages selected
MAIL> DELETE/ALL

You can also delete all the messages in all the folders in the mail file by
copying, filing, or moving them to another mail file. Then exit from MAIL,
change the protection of the file, and delete the folder (using the DCL
commands SET PROTECTION and DELETE).

Protection of Mail Files
MAIL files (for example, MAIL.MAI) are protected so that no one can read
them and so that you cannot accidentally delete them. The protection code
that MAIL gives MAI files is: (SYSTEM:RW,OWNER:RW,GROUP:,WORLD:);
that is, the system (including the Mail Utility itself) and the owner (you) can
read and write to the file, and the group and world are denied all access.
If you want information about setting and changing the protection of files,
see the description of the SET PROTECTION command in the VMS DCL

Dictionary.

Creating a MAIL Subdirectory for Large Messages
When you receive a mail message larger than 3 blocks, it is written to a
sequential file. This mail message is listed in your mail directory with a file
type of MAI, as the following example shows:
MAIL$nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.MAI

MAIL deletes these MAI files from your mail directory when you delete the
messages from within MAIL. If you delete these files outside of MAIL and
then attempt to read the associated messages inside of MAIL, you receive
an error message followed by a display of the From:, To:, CC:, and Subject:
fields.
To avoid the display of these MAI files in your SYS$LOGIN directory, you
can create a mail subdirectory. This subdirectory can then contain all your
MAI files.
To create a subdirectory containing all your MAI files, use the
SET MAIL _DIRECTORY command. For information about
SET MAIL _DIRECTORY, see the Commands Section.

MAIL-12

MAIL Description

Setting the Default Editor
By default, MAIL invokes the EDT editor whenever you specify the /EDIT
qualifier. You can specify a different editor by entering that editor's name as
the parameter for the SET EDITOR command. The following command sets
the default editor to TPU:
MAIL> SET EDITOR TPU

Enter the SEND/EDIT command to edit the text of your message. Since you
are now using TPU (EVE is the default TPU editor), the following is displayed
on your screen:
[end of buff er]
Buff er

MAIN

!Insert

I Forward

After you finish editing your message, send the message by pressing CTRL/Z.
TPU remains your editor after you exit from MAIL, until you change it with
the SET EDITOR command.
You can display the default MAIL editor by entering the MAIL command
SHOW EDITOR as follows:
MAIL>SHOW EDITOR
Your editor is TPU.

8.1

Using the MAIL Command Line Qualifier /EDIT
The /EDIT qualifier allows command name keywords in the form
/EDIT[=(keyword,keyword ... )]. These keywords are as follows:
•

FORWARD

•

REPLY[=EXTRACT]

•

SEND

You can use these keywords to set the default for MAIL. For example, to
invoke the editor for every mail message you send or forward, specify the
keywords SEND and FORWARD with the MAIL/EDIT command:
$ MAIL/EDIT=(SEND,FORWARD)

Or, if you only want to invoke the editor when you are replying to a message,
use the keyword REPLY with the MAIL/EDIT command. MAIL invokes the
editor and displays a blank screen.
$ MAIL/EDIT=(REPLY)

The REPLY keyword allows the following option:
=EXTRACT

When you want to reply to and edit the same message, use the REPLY
keyword with the =EXTRACT option. MAIL invokes the editor and displays
the message to which you are replying.
$ MAIL/EDIT=(REPLY=EXTRACT)

The =EXTRACT option can be used only with the REPLY keyword.
MAIL-13

MAIL Description

Remember the following when you use the /EDIT qualifier:

•

When you do not specify a keyword with /EDIT, the default is
/EDIT=(SEND,REPLY).

•

When you EXIT from the editor, you complete the SEND or REPLY
operation.

•

When you want to cancel a SEND or REPLY operation, enter the QUIT
command to exit from the editor.

System Management and MAIL
SYS$SYSTEM:VMSMAIL_PROFILE.DATA (also called the user profile) is a
single-key indexed sequential file containing the following information for
each user:
•

Usemame

•

Forwarding address (SET FORWARD)

•

Personal name (SET PERSONAL _NAME)

•

Editor name (SET EDITOR)

•

Copy SEND/REPLY flags (SET COPY-SELF)

•

Autopurge flag (SET AUTOJURGE)

•

Mail file subdirectory name (SET MAIL _DIRECTORY)

•

New mail count (the number of unread mail messages)

•

Default queue (SET QUEUE)

•

Default form (SET FORM)

•

Carbon copy enabled (CCJROMPT)

The system manager can arrange mail forwarding for users without accounts
on the system by using the SET FORWARD/USER=user command.
The system manager can set the following flags in a user account by using
the Authorize Utility:
•

Disnewmail - Disables the display of the new mail count when the user
logs in to the system

•

Dismail - Restricts the user from receiving new mail

If you define the logical name MAIL$SYSTEMJLAGS using the qualifiers
/SYSTEM and /EXECUTIVE_MODE ($ DEFINE/SYSTEM/EXEC
MAIL$SYSTEMJLAGS 1), then MAIL$SYSTEMJLAGS is interpreted
as a number in the following ways:

1-Indicates that this node is part of a homogeneous cluster. In other words,
all disks are accessible to the cluster and there is a common SYSUAF file and
a common VMSMAIL file for the cluster. When this bit is set, MAIL checks to
see if the node to which you are sending mail is currently in the cluster. If the
node is in the cluster, MAIL bypasses using DECnet and writes directly to the
recipient's mail file. (Note that the node must be up for MAIL to determine
whether it is part of the cluster.)
MAIL-14

MAIL Description

2-Directs MAIL to set the cluster breakthrough flag when issuing the
$BRKTHRU service to notify the recipient of new mail. This flag is only used
in VAXcluster systems and, typically, only in homogeneous VAXclusters (in
other words, flag 1 is also set).
4-Directs MAIL to include the time the message was delivered in the
notification message printed on the recipient's terminal.
Note that, if MAIL$SYSTEMJLAGS is translated to 7, MAIL selects all three
flags. If the logical name does not translate, the default is 0.
If the number of new (unread) mail messages displayed on your screen is
inconsistent with the actual number of new messages, enter the READ /NEW
command when there is no new mail.

In MAIL messages sent via DECnet-VAX, the user can specify node names
and user names as logical names. They are translated like VMS RMS
specifications: a node name or user name is translated only if it is the first
string in the specification. Any access control information in the node name
or logical name is ignored.

Using a Keypad in MAIL
By default, all the keys on your VTlOO, VT52, or LK201 (used on VT200and VT300-series terminals) keypad are defined to execute MAIL commands.
When you press a keypad key, a MAIL command executes. Most of the keys
have two functions. To use one of the functions, you simply press the key.
To use the other function, you press the GOLD key (PFl) before you press
the function key.
Figure MAIL-2 displays the default key definitions for your keypad in MAIL.
For example, keypad key 5 is defined as the MAIL command FIRST. When
you press keypad key 5, the first message in the current folder is displayed.
The alternate function of keypad key 5 is the MAIL command FIRST/EDIT.
So, when you press the GOLD key followed by keypad key 5, the editor is
invoked along with the first message in the current folder.
MAIL allows you to override the keys defined by default on your VTlOO,
VT52, and LK201 keyboards. You can replace any or all of the default key
definitions or you can just reorganize them.
For example, to define the key PFl as the MAIL command DIRECTORY,
enter the following command line:
MAIL> DEFINE/KEY PF1 "DIRECTORY"

After you define PFl, you can press it to display the DIRECTORY command.
You can use the /STATE qualifier to increase the number of key definitions
available on your terminal. The same key can be assigned any number of
definitions as long as each definition is associated with a different state. State
names can be any alphanumeric string.
For example, define key PF2 to execute the SET command, specifying a state
named ALTERED as follows:
MAIL> DEFINE/KEY PF2 "SET "/SET_STATE=ALTERED

MAIL-15

MAIL Description

Figure MAIL-2

Default Keypad Definitions

/'"PF1

PF2

PF3

PF4

EXTRACT/MAIL

ERASE

DIR/FOLDER

EXTRACT

SELECT MAIL

SEND

FORWARD

SEND/EDIT

CURRENT

FIRST

LAST

CURRENT/EDIT

FIRST/EDIT

LAST/EDIT

READ/NEW
SHOW NEW

REPLY/EDIT/EXT FORWARD/EDIT

HELP
GOLD

DIR/NEW
DIR MAIL

ENTER

BACK

DIR

BACK/EDIT

PRINT/PR/NOTIF

DIR/STAR~99999

0
NEXT

FILE

NEXT/EDIT

DELETE

SELECT:

_.)
ZK-1619-84

Then, define key PF3 to output the string "FILE" when the state ALTERED is
specified, as follows:
MAIL> DEFINE/KEY PF3 "FILE" /IF_STATE=ALTERED /TERMINATE

Use the /TERMINATE qualifier to end the command line. (When you specify
the /TERMINATE qualifier, you can avoid pressing the RETURN key to
execute the command line.) After you define PF2 and PF3, you can use them
together. Press PF2 to produce the first half of the command line (SET) and
press PF3 to finish the command line (FILE).
Any keypad keys that you define during a MAIL session disappear when
you exit from MAIL. To retain keypad key definitions from one MAIL
session to another, create a file in your top-level directory containing these
key definitions (for example, MAIL$KEYDEF.INI) and enter the following
command line in your login command file (LOGIN.COM):
$DEFINE MAIL$INIT SYS$LOGIN:MAIL$KEYDEF.INI

MAIL-16

MAIL Description

The file you create (MAIL$KEYDEF.INI) containing your key definitions act
like a login command file for MAIL. You are able to use any key that has
been defined in the file (MAIL$KEYDEF.INI).
The following sample MAIL$KEYDEF.INI contains six key definitions:
DEFINE/KEY PF1 "DIRECTORY II
DEFINE/KEY PF1 "/FOLDER"
DEFINE/KEY PF2 "SELECT II
DEFINE/KEY PF2 "MAIL"
DEFINE/KEY PERIOD "READ II
DEFINE/KEY PERIOD "/NEW"

/NOTERMINATE
/TERMINATE
/NOTERMINATE
/TERMINATE
/NOTERMINATE
/TERMINATE

/SET_STATE=f older
/IF_STATE=folder
/SET_STATE=mail
/IF_STATE=mail
/SET_STATE=new
/IF_STATE=new

By specifying states, you can press the same key twice (for example, PFl)
entering a command (DIRECTORY) the first time and a qualifier (/FOLDER)
the second time.

MAIL Status Messages
The VMS System Messages and Recovery Procedures Reference Volume lists
the messages issued by MAIL and provides explanations and suggested user
actions for these messages.
MAIL messages are in the following form:
%MAIL-l-IDENT, message-text

The 1 is a severity code, either E for error, W for warning, or I for information.
The IDENT is a mnemonic representing the specific error that occurred. The
message-text is a brief description of the condition that caused the message to
be issued.

MAIL-17

MAIL Usage Summary
The VMS Mail Utility (MAIL) allows you to send messages to other users
on your system or on any other computer that is connected to your
system by means of DECnet-VAX. You can also read, file, forward,
delete, print, and reply to messages that other users send to you.

FORMAT
PARAMETERS

MAIL [filespec} [recipient-name}
filespec
Specifies the name of the file to be mailed.

recipient-name
Specifies the name of a user (or users) or a distribution list to which the file is
mailed.
When you specify a list of users, separate each name by a comma.
When you specify a distribution list, precede the name of the list with an at
sign(@) and enclose both the at sign and the name in quotation marks, as
the following example shows:
$MAIL JOKES.DAT "©LIST"

usage summary

To use MAIL interactively, enter the following command in response to the
DCL prompt:
$ MAIL

The MAIL Utility responds with the following prompt:
MAIL>

Once MAIL has been invoked, you can enter any of the MAIL commands. To
exit from MAIL, enter the EXIT command at the MAIL prompt.
MAIL> EXIT

You can also exit from MAIL by pressing CTRL/Z or using the QUIT
command.

MAIL-18

MAIL
MAIL Qualifiers

MAIL
QUALIFIERS

You can supply the /EDIT, /PERSONAL-NAME, /SELF and /SUBJECT
qualifiers when invoking MAIL.

MAIL-19

MAIL
/EDIT

/EDIT
Sets the default to /EDIT for the SEND and REPLY commands and allows
you to edit your mail messages.

FORMAT

MAIL/EDIT [=(keyword[=option}, ... )}

QUALIFIER
VALUES

Allowed keywords are FORWARD, REPLY, and SEND.

keyword
option
The EXTRACT option can be used with the REPLY keyword.

EXAMPLES

$ MAIL/EDIT
MAIL> SEND
To: EARTH: : MAX

Subj: Experiment

[EOB]

*exit
MAIL>

This example shows how to use the /EDIT qualifier with the MAIL command
enabling you to create and edit a new message. Press CTRL/Z to return to
the line-editing prompt ( * ). Type EXIT to send message.

$ MAIL/EDIT=(REPLY,FORWARD)
MAIL> 14

MAIL> REPLY
To: EARTH: : MAX

Subj : Experiment
[EOB]

*
This example shows how to use the /EDIT qualifier specifying the keywords
REPLY and FORWARD, which enable you to edit any message you forward
or to which you reply. To reply to message 14, enter REPLY and edit your
text. Press CTRL/Z to return to the line-editing prompt ( *) and to send the
reply to user EARTH::MAX.

MAIL-20

MAIL
/PERSONAL_NAME=name

/PERSONAL _NAM E=name
Specifies the personal name to be used when sending a message. This
qualifier does not override the default personal name specified by the SET
PERSONAL_NAME command; the personal name is only changed for the
current message.

FORMAT

MAIL/PERSONAL_NAME =name file-name
recipient-name

MAI L/NOPERSONAL_NAME
PARAMETER
VALUES

name
Personal name to be used. Use quotes around the personal name to include
more than one word or to print in lowercase letters.

file-name
Name of file to be sent.

recipient-name
Names of users to whom the message is sent.

EXAMPLES

$ MAIL/PERSONAL_NAME ="Joe M." test. dat smith

This example shows the user's personal name defined as 'Joe M.' in the
current message containing the file TEST.DAT sent to user SMITH.

MAIL-21

MAIL
/SELF

/SELF
Sends a copy of the message containing the file specification on the
command line back to you as well as to other users.

FORMAT

MAIL/SELF

PARAMETER
VALUES

Name of file to be sent.

filespec recipient-name

filespec
recipient-name
Names of users to whom the message is sent.

EXAMPLE
$MAIL/SELF experiments.dat smith,jones

This example shows how to use the /SELF qualifier to send a copy of the
message containing the file named EXPERIMENTS.DAT back to you and to
users SMITH and JONES.

MAIL-22

MAIL
/SUBJECT

/SUBJECT
Specifies the subject of the message for the heading. If the text consists
of more than one word, enclose the text in quotation marks.

FORMAT

MAI L/SUBJECT="text"

PARAMETER
VALUES

Name of file to be sent.

filespec recipient-name

filespec
recipient-name
Names of users to whom the message is sent.

EXAMPLE
$ MAIL/SUBJECT="Life in the Big City" newfile.txt JOHNSON

This example shows how to use the /SUBJECT qualifier to send a file named
NEWFILE.TXT with a subject heading of "Life in the Big City." Use quotes
around the subject heading to include more than one word or to print in
lowercase letters.

MAIL-23

MAIL
MAIL Commands

MAIL
COMMANDS

To enter MAIL commands, first invoke MAIL at the DCL prompt ( $) and
then enter the MAIL commands at the MAIL> prompt. These commands
can be abbreviated to unique, shorter forms (usually as short as one letter).
Note that D is the short form of DELETE (not DIRECTORY) and R is the
short form of REPLY (not READ).
MAIL provides commands that enable you to:
•

Read and organize mail messages

•

Exchange mail messages with other users

•

Remove mail messages

•

Tailor the Mail Utility

•

Exit from MAIL or transfer control to another process while still in MAIL

•

Make hardcopies of mail messages

The following table lists all the available MAIL commands by functional
category:
Reading Messages

Organizing Messages

BACK

COPY

CURRENT

DIRECTORY

EXTRACT

FILE

FIRST

MOVE

LAST

SELECT

SET FILE

READ

REMOVE

SET WASTEBASKET_NAME

SHOW NEW_MAIL_COUNT

SHOW FILE
SHOW WASTEBASKET_NAME

Exchanging Messages

Removing Messages

ANSWER

DELETE

FORWARD

PURGE

MAIL

SET AUTO_PURGE

SHOW AUTO_PURGE

SEND

MAIL-24

MAIL
MAIL Commands

Tailoring MAIL

Exiting or Transferring Control

DEFINE/KEY

ATTACH

EDIT

EXIT

HELP

QUIT

SET CC_PROMPT

SPAWN

SET COPY_SELF
SET FORWARD
SET MAIL _DIRECTORY
SET PERSONAL_NAME
SHOW ALL
SHOW COPY_SELF
SHOW FORWARD
SHOW MAIL _DIRECTORY
SHOW PERSONAL_NAME

Making Hard Copies of Mail Messages
PRINT

MAIL-25

MAIL
ANSWER

ANSWER
Sends a message to the sender of the message you are currently reading
or of the one you last read. If you do not specify the name of a file to be
sent as your reply, you are prompted for the text of your reply.
You can use the ANSWER command and the REPLY command
interchangeably because they work the same way. You must be reading a
message in order to answer it.

FORMAT
PARAMETER

ANSWER

[filespec]

filespec
Indicates the name of the file to be sent as a reply.

QUALIFIERS

/EDIT
/NO EDIT
Invokes the default editor (EDT) to edit the reply you are sending. When
you EXIT from the editor, the edited message is sent. To cancel the sending
of the message, enter the command QUIT. If you enter the DCL command
MAIL/EDIT=(REPLY) and then decide that you do not want to invoke the
editor for your response, enter the MAIL command REPLY/NOEDIT.

/EXTRACT
Invokes the EDT editor to enable you to edit the current message to which
you are replying.

/LAST
Specifies that the last message you sent be used as text for the reply. The
only qualifier you can use with /LAST is /SELF.

/PERSONAL_NAME=name
/NOPERSONAL_NAME
Specifies the personal name to be used (instead of the default) when sending
a message. The /NOPERSONAL-NAME qualifier sends a message with a
null personal name field.

/SELF
/NOS ELF
Determines whether MAIL sends a copy of the response back to you. The
default is /NOSELF, unless you have used the SET COPY_SELF command to
specify that copies be sent to you automatically.

/SUBJECT="subject-text"
Enables you to specify a different subject when replying to a message.

MAIL-26

MAIL
ANSWER

EXAMPLES

MAIL> ANSWER
To: AUTUMN: :GREGG
Subj: RE:Nova Scotia
Enter your message below.

Press CTRL/Z when complete, or CTRL/C to quit:

This example shows how to use the ANSWER command to respond to a
message sent by a user named GREGG on node AUTUMN.
~

MAIL> ANSWER/EDIT
To: ARCTIC: :SWENSON
Subj: RE: SIAM
[EOB]

This example shows how to use the /EDIT qualifier with the ANSWER
command to respond to a message from a user named SWENSON on node
ARCTIC. When you are using the EDT editor, the end-of-buffer ([EOB]) sign
moves down the screen as you enter text.

MAIL-27

MAIL
ATTACH

ATTACH
Permits you to switch control of your terminal from your current process
to another process in your job.
The ATTACH command allows you to move quickly between processes
that you have created with the SPAWN command. For example, while
you are editing a file, you can use the SPAWN command to move to a
subprocess (MAIL) to read a new mail message. Then, you can enter
ATTACH to move back to the editing session. If you want to read another
new mail message, you can reenter ATTACH to move back to the MAIL
subprocess you already created.

FORMAT
PARAMETER

QUALIFIER

ATTACH

{process-name]

process-name
Indicates the name of the subprocess to which the connection is to be made.

/PARENT
Indicates that you want to attach to the parent process of your current
process. If no parent process exists, an error message is displayed. You
cannot specify the process-name parameter with the /PARENT qualifier.

EXAMPLES

$ EDIT VACATION. TXT

icTRL/YI
$ SPAWN MAIL
%DCL-S-SPAWNED, process MAGNANI_1 spawned
%DCL-S-ATTACHED, terminal now attached to process MAGNANI_1
MAIL> READ

MAIL> ATTACH MAGNANI
%DCL-S-RETURNED, control returned to process MAGNANI

ICTRL/YI
$ ATTACH MAGNANI_1
MAIL>

This example shows how to spawn a subprocess (MAGNANI_l) to invoke
MAIL and use the ATTACH command to move between MAIL
(MAGNANI_l) and the DCL command level (MAGNANI). The ATTACH
command allows you to transfer control between subprocesses.
MAIL-28

MAIL
ATTACH

Note: You always enter the SPAWN command to connect to a new process and
the ATTACH command to connect to a process that already exists.

MAIL-29

MAIL
BACK

BACK
Displays the message preceding the current or last-read message when
the last command issued was READ. When the last command issued was
DIRECTORY, the BACK command displays the preceding screen of the
directory listing.

FORMAT

BACK

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIER

/EDIT
Indicates that the default editor is invoked. You can use the editor to easily
peruse the previous message. When you are done, enter the QUIT command.
You will see the MAIL> prompt. If you decide to edit the message and want
to keep a copy of the newly edited message, enter the appropriate command
to exit from your editor (use the EXIT command with the EDT editor) and
supply a file name.

MAIL-30

MAIL
COMPRESS

COMPRESS
Makes an indexed mail file smaller. When you compress a file, the
following four steps occur:

FORMAT
PARAMETER

A temporary file named MAIL_nnnn_COMPRESS.TMP is created.
(nnnn is a unique, 4-digit number.)

The contents of the file to be compressed are copied to the temporary
file and compressed.

The original (uncompressed) file is renamed with a file type of OLD.

The newly compressed file is renamed from
MAIL_nnnn_COMPRESS.TMP back to its original name.

COMPRESS

[filespec}

file spec
The name of the mail file to be compressed. If filespec is not specified, MAIL
compresses the mail file that is currently open. If there is no open mail file,
MAIL compresses the default mail file.

QUALIFIER

/OUTPUT=out-filespec
The name of the compressed file.

EXAMPLES
[I

$MAIL
MAIL> COMPRESS
%MAIL-S-CREATED, DISK$FUN: [FELLINI]MAIL_08C8_COMPRESS.TMP;1 created
%MAIL-S-COPIED, DISK$FUN:[FELLINI]MAIL.MAI;1 copied to DISK$FUN:[FELLINI]
MAIL_08C8_COMPRESS.TMP;1 (2 records)
%MAIL-S-RENAMED, DISK$FUN: [FELLINI]MAIL.MAI;1 renamed to DISK$FUN: [FELLINI]
MAIL.OLD;2
%MAIL-S-RENAMED, DISK$FUN: [FELLINI]MAIL_08C8_COMPRESS.TMP;1 renamed to
DISK$FUN: [FELLINI]MAIL.MAI;1

This example shows how to compress the contents of your default mail file
(MAIL.MAI).
MAIL> COMPRESS trips.mai
%MAIL-S-CREATED, DISK$FUN: [FELLINI]MAIL_08C8_COMPRESS.TMP;1 created
%MAIL-S-COPIED, DISK$FUN: [FELLINI]TRIPS.MAI;1 copied to DISK$FUN: [FELLINI]
MAIL_08C8_COMPRESS.TMP;1 (2 records)
%MAIL-S-RENAMED, DISK$FUN: [FELLINI]TRIPS.MAI;1 renamed to DISK$FUN: [FELLINI]
TRIPS.OLD;2
%MAIL-S-RENAMED, DISK$FUN: [FELLINI]MAIL_08C8_COMPRESS.TMP;1 renamed to
DISK$FUN: [FELLINI]TRIPS.MAI;1

This example shows how to compress the contents of a file named
TRIPS.MAI.

MAIL-31

MAIL
COPY

COPY
Copies a message to another folder without deleting it from the current
folder. If the specified folder does not exist, it is created.
If you want to copy a message to a sequential file (outside of MAIL)
instead of to a mail file, use the EXTRACT command.
If you decide (after entering the COPY command, pressing RETURN, and
supplying a folder name at the prompt, but before pressing RETURN again)
that you do not want to copy the message, press CTRL/C. CTRL/C aborts
the operation and keeps you within MAIL.

FORMAT
PARAMETERS

COPY

foldername {filename]

fo/dername
Indicates the name of the folder to which the message is to be copied. If
the specified folder does not exist (and you have not entered the qualifier
/NOCONFIRM}, you are asked whether you want to create it. If you respond
with "y," the new folder is created. A folder name can be 1 to 39 characters
in length. Valid characters for folder names are A through Z, a through z,
dollar sign ( $ ), underscore ( _ ), and 0 through 9.

filename
Indicates the name of the mail file to which the message is to be copied. If
the specified mail file does not exist, it is created. If a file name is omitted,
the message is copied to the specified folder in the current file.

QUALIFIERS

/ALL
Indicates that all of the currently selected messages are to be copied to
another message folder. You select a folder by entering the SELECT
command followed by the name of the folder. (See the SELECT command for
more information.) If the/ ALL qualifier is omitted, only the current message
is copied.

/CONFIRM
/NOCONFIRM
Determines whether you will be queried about creating a new folder or file.
The default is /CONFIRM.

MAIL-32

MAIL
COPY

EXAMPLES
[I

MAIL> 2
MAIL> COPY
_Folder: MEMOS
_File: <RET>
MAIL>

This example shows how to put a copy of a mail message into another folder
(MEMOS) in the default mail file. If folder MEMOS did not exist, you would
receive a message as follows:
Folder MEMOS does not exist
Do you want to create it (Y/N, default is N)? Y
%MAIL-I-NEWFOLDER, folder MEMOS created.

MAIL> DIRECTORY
MAIL
#

From

Date

Subject

1
2
3

MARK
GRIM
KATE

29-NOV-1988
3-DEC-1988
7-DEC-1988

Upcoming Meetings
Horror Stories
Getting a Court for Fridays

MAIL> 2
MAIL> COPY
_Folder: TALES
_File: <RET>
MAIL> SELECT TALES
%MAIL-I-SELECTED, 1 message selected
MAIL> DIRECTORY
TALES
#

From

Date

Subject

GRIM

3-DEC-1988

Horror Stories

This example shows how to put a copy of a mail message (from a user named
GRIM) into another folder (TALES) and how to move to that folder to see the
copy of the mail message.

MAIL-33

MAIL
COPY

MAIL> 3
MAIL> COPY
_Folder: TENNIS
_File: SPORTS
FILE DISK$ATEX: [MCFEE] SPORTS.MAI; does not exist.
Do you want to create it (Y/N, default is N)? y
Y.MAIL-S-CREATED, DISK$ATEX: [MCFEE]SPORTS.MAI;1 created
%MAIL-I-NEWFOLDER, folder TENNIS created
MAIL> SET FILE SPORTS
MAIL> DIRECTORY/FOLDER
Listing of folders in DISK$ATEX: [MCFEE]SPORTS.MAI;1
Press CTRL/C to cancel listing
TENNIS
MAIL> SET FILE MAIL
MAIL> DIRECTORY

This example shows how to create a new mail file (SPORTS) and put a copy
of a mail message into a new folder (TENNIS), move to the new file, and
move back to the default mail file (MAIL.MAI).

MAIL-34

MAIL
CURRENT

CURRENT
Displays the beginning of the message you are currently reading. If you
are reading a long mail message and want to display the first part of the
message again, you can enter the CURRENT command.

FORMAT

CURRENT

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIER

/ED/TInvokes your default editor. You can use your editor to easily peruse the
current message. When you are done, enter the QUIT command. You will
see the MAIL> prompt. If you decide to edit the message and want to keep
a copy of the newly edited message, enter the appropriate command to exit
(use the EXIT command in EDT) and supply a file name.

MAIL-35

MAIL
DEFINE/KEV

DEFINE/KEY
Defines a key to execute a MAIL command. This enables you to press a
key to enter a command instead of typing the command name.

DEFINE/KEY key-name string

FORMAT
PARAMETERS

key-name
Specifies the name of the key you are defining. Use the following key names
when defining keys:

Key-name

VT100

VT52

LK201

PF1

red key

PF1

PF2

blue key

PF2

PF3

black key

PF3

PF4

KPO KP 1-KP9
I

keypad 0-9

PERIOD

period key

COMMA

comma key

MINUS

minus key

ENTER

ENTER key

E1,E2

Find,lnsert Here

E3,E4

Remove,Select

Previous Screen

Next Screen

HELP,DO

Help(15), Do(16)

F17-F20

Function Keys

Note: You cannot redefine the arrow keys or the function keys Fl through F14.

string
Specifies the string you want entered when you press the defined key.
"String" can be a MAIL command, for example, DIRECTORY or SET FILE.

QUALIFIERS

/ECHO
/NOECHO
Specifies whether the command line is echoed after you press the defined key.
You cannot define a key specifying both /NOECHO and /NOTERMINATE.
The default is /ECHO.

MAIL-36

MAIL
DEFINE/KEY

/IF_STATE=state_/ist
/NOIF_STATE
Specifies a list of states, any one of which must be set in order to enable the
specified key definition. If you omit or negate this qualifier, the current state
prevails.

/LOCILSTATE
/NOLOC/LSTATE
Retains the state specified by the /SET_STATE qualifier until you use the
/SET_STATE qualifier again to change it. The default is /NOLOCK_STATE.

/LOG
/NO LOG
Specifies whether informational messages are displayed. These messages
signal successfully created key definitions. The default is /LOG.

/SET_STATE=state
/NOSET_STATE
Associates a state with the key you are defining. A state name can be any
alphanumeric string. If you omit or negate this qualifier, the current state
remains unchanged. You cannot define a key specifying both /SET_STATE
and /TERMINATE.

/TERMINATE
/NOTERMINATE
Determines whether the specified command string executes when you press
the key. When you use /NOTERMINATE, you must press RETURN to
execute the command string. You cannot define a key specifying both
/SET_STATE and /TERMINATE.

EXAMPLES

MAIL> DEFINE/KEY PF1 "DIRECTORY"

This example shows how to define the keypad key PFl as the MAIL
command DIRECTORY. To enter the DIRECTORY command, press PFl
followed by the RETURN key.
~

MAIL> DEFINE/KEY KP6 "EDIT" /TERMINATE

This example shows how to define the keypad key 6 as the EDIT command.
The /TERMINATE qualifier causes the EDIT command to execute when you
press keypad key 6 without having to press RETURN.
~

MAIL> DEFINE/KEY COMMA "EXIT"

This example shows how to define the comma key on the keypad as the EXIT
command. Because the qualifier /TERMINATE was not specified, the default,
/NOTERMINATE is in effect. To enter the EXIT command, press the comma
key followed by the RETURN key.

MAIL-37

MAIL
DEFINE/KEV

MAIL> DEFINE/KEY MINUS "SEND" /TERMINATE /NOECHO

This example shows how to define the minus key on the keypad as the
SEND command. The /TERMINATE qualifier causes the SEND command to
execute when you press the minus key without having to press RETURN. The
/NOECHO qualifier prevents the display of the command line on the screen.
~

MAIL> DEFINE/KEY PF4 "SET " /SET_STATE=ALTERED
MAIL> DEFINE/KEY KP7 "FILE" /TERMINATE /IF_STATE=ALTERED
MAIL> DEFINE/KEY KP8 "FORWARD" /TERMINATE /IF_STATE=ALTERED
MAIL> DEFINE/KEY KP9 "WASTEBASKET" /TERMINATE /IF_STATE=ALTERED

This example shows how to define four different keys and associate them
with a state named ALTERED:

MAIL-38

The first definition defines the key PF4 as the SET command and
associates this key with a state named ALTERED.

The second definition defines the keypad key 7 as "FILE" and makes it
dependent on a state named ALTERED. When you press PF4 followed by
keypad key 7, MAIL executes the SET FILE command.

The third definition defines keypad key 8 as "FORWARD" and also makes
it dependent on the ALTERED state. When you press PF4 followed by
keypad key 8, MAIL executes the SET FORWARD command.

The fourth definition defines keypad key 9 as "WASTEBASKET" and
also makes it dependent on the ALTERED state. When you press PF4
followed by keypad key 9, MAIL executes the SET WASTEBASKET
command.

MAIL
DELETE

DELETE
Deletes either the message you are currently reading or the message you
just read and moves it to the WASTEBASKET folder. When you enter
the EXIT or PURGE commands, your WASTEBASKET folder empties
automatically.
To recover a message accidentally deleted (while it is still in the
WASTE BASKET folder), select the WASTE BASKET folder, read the
desired message, and move it to another folder.
Usually you delete only one mail message at a time, but you may also
delete several mail messages using one DELETE command. You may
specify a range or a list of messages to be deleted.

FORMAT

DELETE {message-number]

PARAMETER

message-number
Deletes the message specified by its number, or deletes a range or list of
messages.

QUALIFIER

/ALL
Deletes all the currently selected messages. You select a folder by entering
the SELECT command followed by the name of the folder. (See the SELECT
command for more information.)

EXAMPLES
i]

MAIL> DIRECTORY
MAIL
#

From

Date

Subject

MOON

11-APR-1988

Asteroids

5
6

MARK
MARK

11-APR-1988
11-APR-1988

The Yen
The Buck

MAIL> 5
MAIL> DELETE
MAIL> 6
MAIL> DELETE
MAIL> DIRECTORY

MAIL-39

MAIL
DELETE

MAIL
# From

Date

Subject

1 MOON

11-APR-1988

Asteroids

5 (Deleted)
6 (Deleted)

This example shows how to delete messages 5 and 6 from the MAIL folder.
~

MAIL> DELETE 1,3,5-7,9:11
MAIL>

This example shows how to delete mail messages 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11.
The hyphen and colon are used to designate a range of numbers.
~

MAIL> DELETE 24
MAIL>

This example shows how to delete message number 24 by entering the
number of the message after the DELETE command.

MAIL-40

MAIL
DIRECTORY

DIRECTORY
Displays a list of the messages in the current mail file, including message
number, sender's name, date, and subject.
You create a new set of selected messages everytime you use the
following qualifiers:
/BEFORE
/CC_SUBSTRING
/NEW
/SINCE
/MARKED
/FRQM_SUBSTRING
/TQ_SUBSTRING
/SUBJECT_SUBSTRING

FORMAT
PARAMETER

DIRECTORY [foldername]

foldername
Specifies the name of the folder. If you omit this parameter and you have
already specified a folder, messages from that folder are displayed. If you
have not selected a folder, messages from the NEWMAIL folder are displayed.
If the NEWMAIL folder does not exist, messages from the MAIL folder are
displayed.

QUALIFIERS

/BEFORE=date
Displays a listing of all the mail messages received before the specified date.
If no date is specified, a listing of all the mail messages received before the
current day ("today") is displayed.

/CC_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the CC field of the message.

/EDIT
Invokes the editor using the output of the DIRECTORY command as input
to the editor. Enables you to find messages easily by scrolling through the
folders or searching text.

/FROM_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the FROM field of the message.

/FOLDER
Displays a listing of all the folders contained in the current mail file.

/FULL
Displays the number of records in the message and whether you have replied
to the message. External message identification numbers (for messages larger
than 3 blocks) are also displayed.

MAIL-41

MAIL
DIRECTORY

/MARKED
/NOMARKED
Selects messages that have been marked. The /NOMARKED qualifier selects
messages that are not marked.

/NEW
Displays a listing of any new (unread) mail messages. When there are no
unread messages, MAIL displays the message "No new messages."

/REPLIED
/NOREPLIED
Selects messages that have been replied to via the REPLY command. The
/NOREPLIED qualifier selects messages that have not been replied to.

/SINCE=date
Displays a listing of all the mail messages received on or after the specified
date. If no date is specified, a listing of all the mail messages received on the
current day ("today") is displayed.

/START=start-point
Indicates the first message number you want to display. For example, to
display all the messages beginning with number three, enter the command
line DIRECTORY/START=3. Use the /START qualifier with the /FOLDER
qualifier to indicate the first folder name you want to display. For example,
to display all the folder names alphabetically following PLEAT, enter the
command line DIRECTORY/START=PLEAT /FOLDER.

/SUBJECT_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the SUBJECT field of the message.

/TO_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the TO field of the message.

EXAMPLES

MAIL> DIRECTORY
MAIL
#

From

Date

MARK
MARK
BILL
BILL
BILL
MARK

11-APR-1988
11-APR-1988
13-APR-1988
13-APR-1988
14-APR-1988
17-APR-1988

3
4
5
6

Subject
The Yen
The Buck
The Pound
The Dollar
The Cent
The Dime

This example shows how to display a listing of all the messages in the current
folder by using the DIRECTORY command.

MAIL-42

MAIL
DIRECTORY

MAIL> DIRECTORY/SINCE=13-APR
MAIL
#

From

Date

BILL
BILL
BILL
MARK

13-APR-1988
13-APR-1988
14-APR-1988
17-APR-1988

3
4

Subject
The Pound
The Dollar
The Cent
The Dime

This example shows how to use the /SINCE qualifier with the DIRECTORY
command to display a listing of all the mail messages in the current folder
received on or after April 13, 1988.
~

MAIL> DIRECTORY/SUBJECT_SUBSTRING= POUND
MAIL
#

From

Date

BILL

13-APR-1988

Subject
The Pound

This example shows how to use the /SUBJECT_SUBSTRING qualifier with
the DIRECTORY command to find messages that contain the substring
POUND.
~

MAIL> DIRECTORY/FOLDER
Listing of folders in DISK$: [BACON]MAIL.MAI;1
Press CTRL/C to cancel listing
MAIL
NEW_HIRES
PROJECTS
SALES_LEADS

This example shows how to display a listing of all the folders in the current
mail file.
~

MAIL> DIRECTORY/FOLDER/START=P
Listing of folders in DISK$: [BACON]MAIL.MAI;1
Press CTRL/C to cancel listing
PROJECTS
SALES_LEADS

This example shows how to display an alphabetical listing of all the folders in
the current mail file with folder names which start with the letter P.

MAIL-43

MAIL
EDIT

EDIT
Invokes the EDT editor as the default editor and enables you to edit a
message before you send it. See the Guide to VMS Text Processing and
the VAX EDT Reference Manual for information about the EDT editor.

FORMAT
PARAMETER

EDIT [filename}
filename
Indicates the name of the file you want to edit.

QUALIFIERS

/COMMAND=ini-filespec
Indicates the name of an EDT startup command file (EDTINI) for ini-filespec.
If you do not specify a startup command file for ini-filespec, the default
EDTINl.EDT file set up for the DCL command EDIT takes effect.

/CREATE
Tells MAIL to create a file. MAIL prompts you for a file name when you do
not specify one on the EDIT command line.

/JOURNAL=jou-filespec
Specifies jou-filespec as the name of the journal file.

/OUTPUT=out-filespec
Specifies out-filespec as the name of the output file.

/READ
Indicates that neither a journal file nor an output file will be created. If you
do not specify an existing file with the /READ qualifier, MAIL displays "Input
file does not exist" and returns the MAIL> prompt. When you use the
/READ qualifier, enter the QUIT command to exit from EDT. If you enter the
EXIT command, you are prompted for a file specification.

/RECOVER
Indicates that you want to recover a previous editing session that was
prematurely aborted.

MAIL-44

MAIL
EDIT

EXAMPLES
iJ

MAIL> EDIT/COMMAND=EDTFUN.EDT FILENAME.DAT
1
This is the first line of text in FILENAME.DAT.
[EOB]

*
* EXIT
DISK$MEGAWORK: [BURTON]FILENAME.DAT;1 13 lines
MAIL>

This example shows how to invoke the EDT editor and execute the commands
in an EDT startup command file named EDTFUN .EDT to edit an already
existing file named FILENAME.DAT before sending it.
~

MAIL> EDIT/OUTPUT=OTHER.DAT
_File: ORIGINAL.DAT
1
This is the first line of text in a file called ORIGINAL.DAT.

*EXIT
DISK$FINEWORK: [DUTZ]OTHER.DAT;1 23 lines
MAIL>

This example shows how to use the /OUTPUT qualifier to specify a
name for the output file (OTHER.DAT) that is different from the input
file (ORIGINAL.DAT).
~

MAIL> EDIT/READ
_File: EXISTS.TXT

* QUIT
This example shows how to use the /READ qualifier with the EDIT command
and how to exit with the QUIT command.

MAIL-45

MAIL
ERASE

ERASE
Allows you to clear your screen.

FORMAT

ERASE

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIERS

None.

MAIL-46

MAIL
EXIT

EXIT
Allows you to exit from MAIL. You can also exit from MAIL by pressing
CTRL/Z. When you enter the EXIT command, any messages in the
WASTEBASKET folder are deleted unless you have issued the command
SET NOAUTO_PURGE.

FORMAT

EXIT

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIERS

None.

MAIL-47

MAIL
EXTRACT

EXTRACT
Places a copy of the current message into a sequential file. If you want
to copy a mail message to a folder in an indexed sequential mail file, use
either the COPY, FILE, or MOVE command.

FORMAT
PARAMETER

EXTRACT

filespec

filespee
Specifies the name of the output file to which the message is copied. The
default file type is TXT. By default, the device and directory matches your
current default device and directory.

QUALIFIERS

/ALL
Copies all the currently selected messages to the specified file. Each message
is separated by a form feed.

/APPEND
Adds the selected message to the end of the specified file. If the file does not
exist, it is created. When you do not specify/ APPEND, MAIL creates a new
sequential file.

/MAIL
Specifies that the output file be a sequential mail file with a default file type
of MAI and a protection code of (S:RW,O:RW,G,W). By default, the protection
codes of the device and directory match those of your mail file directory. Like
/APPEND, /MAIL adds the selected message to the end of the specified file.

/NOH EADER
Removes the header information (To: CC: From: Subject:) from the mail
message.

MAIL-48

MAIL
EXTRACT

EXAMPLES

MAIL> DIRECTORY
MAIL
#

From

Date

Subject

JOAN

12-MAR-1988

Spelling Tests

MAIL> 5
MAIL> EXTRACT GRAMMAR
MAIL> EXIT
$ DIRECTORY

GRAMMAR.TXT;1

This example shows how to place a copy of a mail message in a sequential
file named GRAMMAR. TXT.
~

MAIL> EXTRACT/ALL/NOHEADER
_File: OUTER.DAT
%MAIL-I-CREATED, DISK$MEGAWORK: [CROWN]OUTER.DAT;1 created
MAIL>

This example shows how to place a copy of all the messages in the currently
selected folder into a sequential file called OUTER.DAT. The /NOHEADER
qualifier prevents the header information from being copied.

MAIL-49

MAIL
FILE

FILE
Moves the current message to the specified folder. You can use the
FILE command and the MOVE command interchangeably because they
work the same way. (Note, however, that the FILE command deletes the
message from the original folder, unlike the COPY command, which leaves
a copy.)
If (after entering the FILE command, pressing RETURN, and supplying a
folder name at the prompt, but before pressing RETURN again) you decide
that you do not want to file the message, press CTRL/C. CTRL/C aborts
the operation and keeps you within MAIL.

FORMAT
PARAMETERS

FILE

foldername [filename]

foldername
Indicates the name of the folder to which the current message is to be moved.
If the specified folder does not exist, you are asked whether you want to
create it. If you respond with "y," the new folder is created.
A folder name can be 1 to 39 characters in length. Valid characters for folder
names are A through Z, a through z, dollar sign ( $ ), underscore (_), and 0
through 9.

filename
Indicates the name of the mail file to which the current message is to be
moved. If the file name is omitted, the message is moved to the specified
folder in the current file.

QUALIFIERS

/ALL
Moves all the messages in the current folder to the specified folder.

/CONFIRM
/NOCONFIRM
Determines whether you are queried about creating a new folder of file. The
default is /CONFIRM.

MAIL-50

MAIL
FILE

EXAMPLES

MAIL> 2
MAIL> FILE 0
_Folder: WINNERS 8
_FILE: <RET> 9
Folder WINNERS does not exist.
Do you want to create it (Y/N, default is N)? y
%MAIL-I-NEWFOLDER, folder WINNERS created
MAIL> SELECT WINNERS 0
%MAIL-I-SELECTED, 1 message selected
MAIL> DIRECTORY CD
WINNERS
#

From

Date

Subject

BURK

18-APR-1988

Early American Art

MAIL>

Enter the FILE command to move the current message to a new folder.

Specify a name for the new folder.

Press RETURN to retain the default file.

To move to the new folder, enter the SELECT command followed by the
name of the new folder (WINNERS).

CD Enter the DIRECTORY command to see the transferred message in the
newly created folder (WINNERS).
This example shows how to FILE a message in a new folder named
WINNERS.

MAIL-51

MAIL
FIRST

FIRST
Displays the first message in the current folder.

FORMAT

FIRST

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIER

/EDIT
Invokes your default editor. You can use the editor to peruse the first
message. When you are done, enter the QUIT command. You see the
MAIL> prompt. If you decide to edit the message and want to keep a copy
of the newly edited message, enter the appropriate command to exit from
your editor (use the EXIT command with the EDT editor) and supply a file
name.

MAIL-52

MAIL
FORWARD

FORWARD
Sends a copy of the message you are currently reading (or have just read)
to one or more users. MAIL prompts you for the name of the user or
users to whom you want to forward the message.
If you change your mind about forwarding a message after you have
already entered the FORWARD command, press CTRL/C to abort the
message. The MAIL> prompt is displayed.

FORMAT

FORWARD

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIERS

/CC_PROMPT
/NOCC_PROMPT
Prompts for CC: line in the mail header. Overrides the SET cc_pROMPT
command.

/EDIT
Determines whether the default editor is invoked to edit the message you are
forwarding.

/NOH EADER
Enables you to forward a message without the original header information
supplied from the user that sent it. The default is /HEADER.

/PERSONAL_NAME=name
/NOPERSONAL_NAME
Specifies the personal name to be used when forwarding the message.
Overrides the default personal name specified with the
SET PERSONAL_NAME command for this message only. The
/NOPERSONAL_NAME qualifier sends a message with a null personal
name field.

/SELF
/NOS ELF
Specifies that a copy of the forwarded message is to be sent to you. Overrides
the SET COPY_SELF command.
11

/SUBJECT= subject-text"
Prompts for the subject of the mail message to be sent.

MAIL-53

MAIL
FORWARD

EXAMPLES

MAIL> 3
From:
To:
Subj:

PRESTON
MARLEY
Snakes

Beasts, under the earth, crawling ...
MAIL> FORWARD/NOHEADER
To: SOUND: :BURTON
Subj : Snakes Again

MAIL> READ
From:
To :
Subj:

MARLEY
SOUND : : BURTON
Snakes Again

Beasts, under the earth, crawling ...

This example shows how to forward a message to a user (SOUND::BURTON)
without the original header information (From: PRESTON, To:MARLEY,
Subj: Snakes).
~

MAIL> 7
MAIL> FORWARD/EDIT
To:
FOLEY
Subj:
The Thatched Roof
(The text of mail message 7 is displayed here, ready to be edited.)

This example shows how to edit a mail message before forwarding it by using
the FORWARD /EDIT command.

MAIL-54

MAIL
HELP

HELP
Enables you to obtain information about the Mail Utility.
To obtain information about all of the MAIL commands, enter the following
command:
MAIL> HELP

To obtain information about individual commands or topics, enter HELP
followed by the command or topic name.

FORMAT
PARAMETER

HELP

[topic]

topic
Indicates a topic about which you want information. To display the list of
available topics, enter the HELP command at the MAIL> prompt.

QUALIFIERS

None.

MAIL-55

MAIL
LAST

LAST
Displays the last message in the current folder.

FORMAT

LAST

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIER

/EDIT
Invokes your default editor. You can use your editor to peruse the last
message. When you are done, enter the QUIT command. You see the
MAIL> prompt. If you decide to edit the message and want to keep a copy
of the newly edited message, enter the appropriate command to exit from
your editor (use the EXIT command with the EDT editor) and supply a file
name.

MAIL-56

MAIL
MAIL

MAIL
Sends a message to one or more users. The MAIL command works like
the SEND command.
MAIL first prompts you for the name of the user or users you want to
receive the message.
MAIL> MAIL
To:

You reply with the user names or with the file names of distribution lists,
in the following format:
[ [nodename: : ] username (s) , ... ] [,] [©listname [, ... ] ]

Next, MAIL prompts you for the subject of the mail message. To avoid the
Subj: prompt, specify the /SUBJECT qualifier with the MAIL command.
You can include a file specification with the MAIL command. If you specify
a file with the MAIL command, the text in that file is sent to the specified
users. If you do not specify a file, MAIL prompts you for the text of your
message.
Enter the message that you want to send; then press CTRL/Z. Note that,
once you have typed a line and pressed RETURN, there is no way to edit
it. If you decide not to send the message you are typing but want to stay
within the Mail Utility, press CTRL/C to abort the message. You then
receive the MAIL> prompt. CTRL/Y exits you from MAIL.

FORMAT
PARAMETER

MAIL [filespec]
filespec
Indicates the name of the file to be sent.

QUALIFIERS

/CC_PROMPT
/NOCC_PROMPT
Prompts for the carbon copy (CC:) line in mail header. Overrides the SET
cc_pRQMPT command.

/EDIT
/NO EDIT
Determines whether the default editor (EDT) is invoked to edit the message
you are sending. The /NOEDIT qualifier overrides the MAIL/EDIT default if
you entered the DCL command MAIL/EDIT.
You cannot specify the /EDIT qualifier with the /LAST qualifier.

/LAST
Specifies that the last message you sent be used as the text for the message
you are currently sending.

MAIL-57

MAIL
MAIL

/PERSONAL_NAME=name
/NOPERSONAL_NAME
Specifies the personal name to be used when sending a message. Overrides
the default personal name specified with the SET PERSONAL _NAME
command for this message only. The /NOPERSONAL_NAME qualifier
sends a message with a null personal name field.

/SELF
/NOS ELF
Determines whether MAIL sends a copy of the message you are sending back
to you. Overrides the SET COPY_SELF MAIL command.
11

/SUBJECT= subject-text

Prompts for the subject of the mail message to be sent.

EXAMPLE
MAIL> MAIL
To:

TERA: : LINDEN

Subj: Vacation
Enter your message below.

Press CTRL/Z when complete, or CTRL/C to quit:

This example shows how to use the MAIL command to send a message to a
user named Linden on node TERA.

MAIL-58

MAIL
MARK

MARK
The MARK command sets a flag in the message header setting the current
or message-identification message as marked. Marked messages are
displayed with an asterisk ( *) in the left-hand column of the directory
listing. A marked message can serve as a reminder of important
information. The /ALL qualifier sets all currently selected messages as
unmarked.
The UNMARK command clears a flag in the message header setting the
current or message-id message as unmarked (asterisk is deleted).

FORMAT

MARK [/ALL] [message-number]
UNMARK [/ALL] [message-number]

PARAMETER

message-number
Indicates the message number to be marked or unmarked.

QUALIFIERS

/ALL
Sets all currently selected messages as marked.

EXAMPLES
i]

MAIL> DIR MISC
From

Date

1
MARS: :SMITH
2
JUPITER::COLLINS
3
JUPITER: :PETERS
MAIL> MARK 2,3
MAIL> DIR
#
From

13-AUG-1988
22-AUG-1988
24-AUG-1988

MARS : : SMITH
JUPITER: :COLLINS
JUPITER: : PETERS

13-AUG-1988
22-AUG-1988
24-AUG-1988

*2
*3

Date

Subject
Training Information
Ideas
Meeting
Subject
Training Information
Ideas
Meeting

In this example, messages 2 and 3 in folder MISC are marked with an
asterisk.
~

MAIL> UNMARK 2
MAIL> DIR
#
1
2

From

Date

MARS: : SMITH
JUPITER: :COLLINS
JUPITER: :PETERS

13-AUG-1988
22-AUG-1988
24-AUG-1988

Subject
Training Information
Ideas
Meeting

In this example, message 2 has been unmarked.

MAIL-59

MAIL
MOVE

MOVE
The MOVE command is synonymous with the FILE command. Moves the
current message to the specified folder. (Note that the FILE command
deletes the message from the original folder, unlike the COPY command,
which leaves a copy.)
If (after entering the MOVE command, pressing RETURN, and supplying a
folder name at the prompt, but before pressing RETURN again) you decide
that you do not want to move the message, press CTRL/C. CTRL/C aborts
the operation and keeps you within MAIL.

FORMAT
PARAMETERS

MOVE

foldername [filename]

foldername
Indicates the name of the folder to which the current message is moved. If
the specified folder does not exist, you are asked whether you want to create
it. If you respond with "y," the new folder is created.
A folder name can be 1 to 39 characters in length. Valid characters for folder
names are A through Z, a through z, dollar sign ( $ ), underscore (-), and 0
through 9.

filename
Indicates the name of the mail file to which the current message is moved. If
the specified file does not exist, it is created. If the file name is omitted, the
message is moved to the specified folder in the current file.

QUALIFIERS

/ALL
Moves all the currently selected messages to the specified folder.

/CONFIRM
/NOCONFIRM
Determines whether you are queried about creating a new folder. The default
is /CONFIRM.

EXAMPLES

MAIL> 2
MAIL> MOVE 0
_Folder: WINNERS f.)
_File: <RET> 0
Folder WINNERS does not exist.
Do you want to create it (Y/N, default is N)? y
%MAIL-I-NEWFOLDER, folder WINNERS created
MAIL> SELECT WINNERS G)
%MAIL-I-SELECTED, 1 message selected
MAIL> DIRECTORY Cit

MAIL-60

MAIL
MOVE
WINNERS
#

From

Date

Subject

BURK

18-APR-1988

Early American Art

MAIL>

Enter the MOVE command to transfer the current message to a new
folder.

Specify a name for the new folder.

Press RETURN to retain the default file.

To move to the new folder, enter the SELECT command followed by the
name of the new folder (WINNERS).

Enter the DIRECTORY command to see the transferred message in the
newly created folder (WINNERS).

This example shows how to MOVE a message to a new folder named
WINNERS.

MAIL-61

MAIL
NEXT

NEXT
Skips to the next message and displays it. This command is useful if,
while reading through your messages, you encounter a long message that
you would like to skip over.

FORMAT

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIER

/EDIT
Invokes your default editor. You can use your editor to peruse the next
message. When you are done, enter the QUIT command. You see the
MAIL> prompt. If you decide to edit the message and want to keep a copy
of the newly edited message, enter the appropriate command to exit from
your editor (enter the EXIT command with the EDT editor) and supply a file
name.

MAIL-62

MAIL
PRINT

PRINT
Adds a copy of the message you are currently reading to the print queue.
The files created by the PRINT command are not actually released to
the print queue until you exit from MAIL, so that multiple messages are
concatenated into one print job (unless the /NOW or /PRINT qualifier
is specified). See the DCL command PRINT for more information and
examples.

FORMAT

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIERS

/AFTER=time
Requests that the job not be printed until a specific time of day. You can
specify either absolute or delta time.

/ALL
Indicates that all the currently selected messages be printed.

/BURST=keyword
/NOBURST
Controls whether a burst page is printed preceding a message. The /BURST
qualifier can take either of two keywords: ALL or ONE. The ALL keyword
indicates that each file in the job is be preceded by a burst page and flag
page. The ONE keyword indicates that a burst page applies only to the first
copy of the first file in the job.

/CANCEL
Cancels all messages that have been queued for printing during this session.

/COPIES=n
Indicates the number of copies of the print job to be printed.

/FEED
/NOFEED
Controls whether the PRINT command automatically inserts form feeds when
it nears the end of a page. /FEED is the default.

/FLAG=keyword
/NOFLAG
Controls whether a flag page is printed preceding a message. The /FLAG
qualifier can take either of two keywords: ALL or ONE. The ALL keyword
indicates that each file in the job is preceded by a flag page. The ONE
keyword indicates that a flag page applies only to the first copy of the first
file in the job.

MAIL-63

MAIL
PRINT

/FORM=form-name
Specifies the name or number of the form that you want for the print job.
Enter the DCL command SHOW QUEUE/FORM to list the available forms.

/HOLD
/NOH OLD
Controls whether the message is available for print immediately. The print
job is not released for actual printing until you use the DCL command SET
QUEUE/ENTRY/RELEASE to release it.

/NAME=job-name
Defines the name string to identify the job.

/NOTIFY
Indicates that you are to be notified by a broadcast message when the file or
files have been printed. /NONOTIFY is the default.

/NOW
Sends all messages that have been queued for printing with the PRINT
command during this session to the printer. Allows the job to print without
exiting mail. This qualifier is synonymous with the /PRINT qualifier.

/PARAMETERS=(parameter[, ... ])
Specifies from one to eight optional parameters to be passed to the job.

/PRINT
The /PRINT qualifier is synonymous with the /NOW qualifier. Releases all
messages previously queued with the PRINT command to the print queue.
If you do not specify the /PRINT qualifier, messages are not released to the
print queue until you exit from MAIL. PRINT /PRINT does not queue the
current message for printing. Also note that the only other qualifier you can
specify with /PRINT is /NOTIFY.

/QUEUE=queue-name
The name of the queue to which the message is to be sent. If the /QUEUE
qualifier is not specified, the message is queued to the SYS$PRINT printer. If
you enter the PRINT command more than once and specify a different queue
name, any previously queued messages are released to that print queue.

/SPACE
/NOS PACE
Controls whether output is double-spaced.

/TRAILER=keyword
/NOTRAILER
Controls whether a trailer page is printed at the end of the message. The
/TRAILER qualifier can take either of two keywords: ALL or ONE. The ALL
keyword indicates that each file in the job is preceded by a trailer page . The
ONE keyword indicates that a trailer page applies only to the last copy of the
last file in the job.

MAIL-64

MAIL
PRINT

EXAMPLES

MAIL> 5
MAIL> PRINT/QUEUE=LMNO
MAIL> EXIT
Job MAIL (queue LMNO_PRINT, entry 333) started on LMNO_PRINT
$

This example shows how to add message number 5 to queue LMNQ_pRJNT.

MAIL> PRINT/PRINT
%MAIL-E-NOMSGPRI, no messages printed

MAIL> 14
MAIL> PRINT
MAIL> 23
MAIL> PRINT
MAIL> PRINT/PRINT
Job MAIL (queue QUASAR_PRINT, entry 333) started on QUEUE$LPAO

The first part of this example shows how MAIL displays an error message
when you enter the /PRINT qualifier before you use the PRINT command
alone. The second part shows how to release mail messages (14 and 23) to
the print queue by entering the /PRINT qualifier.
~

MAIL> 2
MAIL> PRINT
MAIL> 7
MAIL> PRINT
MAIL> 9
MAIL> PRINT/QUEUE=WRITERS_PRINT
Job MAIL (queue WRITERS_PRINT, entry 148) started on QUEUE$LPAO
MAIL> 24
MAIL> PRINT
MAIL> 31
MAIL> PRINT/QUEUE=READERS_PRINT
Job MAIL (queue WRITERS_PRINT, entry 149) started on QUEUE$LPAO
MAIL> EXIT
Job MAIL (queue READERS_PRINT, entry 152) started on QUEUE$LPBO

This example shows how mail messages are released to the print queue when
you use the /QUEUE qualifier. The system message specifying the name of
the queue your job is started on is printed only if you have changed the name
of the queue from the previous job.

MAIL-65

MAIL
PURGE

PURGE
Deletes all the messages in the WASTE BASKET folder. When you EXIT
from MAIL or enter a SET FILE command (to select a new mail file), an
implicit PURGE is done to empty the WASTEBASKET folder, unless SET
NOAUTQ_PURGE has been used.
Purged message space is not available for reuse by VMS Record
Management Services (RMS) until you enter the PURGE/RECLAIM
command. An automatic PURGE/RECLAIM is done when the amount
of deleted space in a mail file exceeds 32, 767 bytes. (MAIL uses the
CONVERT /RECLAIM Utility to reclaim space.)

FORMAT

PURGE

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIERS

/RECLAIM
Releases deleted message space back to VMS RMS for reuse.
Because your mail file is locked while PURGE/RECLAIM is running, you
cannot receive new mail. Users attempting to send you mail while
PURGE/RECLAIM is running receive an error message indicating that their
message has not been sent successfully.

/STATISTICS
Indicates the amount of released deleted message space in a short statistics
display when you use it with PURGE/RECLAIM.

EXAMPLES
i]

MAIL> PURGE/RECLAIM
MAIL>

This example shows how to enter the PURGE/RECLAIM command to
delete all the messages in the WASTEBASKET folder and release the deleted
message space back to VMS RMS for reuse.

MAIL-66

MAIL
PURGE

MAIL> PURGE/RECLAIM/STATISTICS
%MAIL-I-RECLPLSWAIT, reclaiming deleted file space. Please wait ...
Reclaim statistics:
Messages deleted:
3
Data buckets scanned:
31
Data buckets reclaimed: 1
Index buckets reclaimed: 0
Total buckets reclaimed: 1
MAIL>

This example shows the kind of information that the /STATISTICS qualifier
displays about the reclaimed deleted message space.

MAIL-67

MAIL
QUIT

QUIT
Exits you from MAIL without emptying the WASTE BASKET folder (deleted
messages are not destroyed unless you enter the EXIT command or
CTRL/Z). QUIT performs the same function as CTRL/Y.

FORMAT

QUIT

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIERS

None.

EXAMPLE
MAIL> 2
MAIL> DELETE
MAIL> 6
MAIL> DELETE
MAIL> QUIT
$ MAIL
MAIL> SELECT WASTEBASKET
%MAIL-I-SELECTED, 2 messages selected
MAIL> DIRECTORY
WASTEBASKET
#

From

Date

1
2

FRANCO
ZEUS

20-APR-1988
22-APR-1988

Subject
Swiss Chocolates
Austrian Pastry

This example shows how to use the QUIT command to avoid emptying the
WASTEBASKET folder.

MAIL-68

MAIL
READ

READ
Displays your messages.
The READ command can be entered with or without parameters. Pressing
the RETURN key is the same as entering the READ command without
parameters. If you press RETURN immediatedly after MAIL is invoked,
MAIL displays the first unread message in your NEWMAIL folder. If all
messages have been read or you have no new messages, MAIL displays
the first message in the MAIL folder. Each time you enter the READ
command without parameters or press RETURN, MAIL displays the next
message.
If a new message arrives while you are in MAIL, you can enter READ /NEW
to read the message, and then return to the previous MAIL activity.
You create a new set of selected messages every time you use the
following qualifiers:
/BEFORE
/CC_SUBSTRING
/NEW
/SINCE
/MARKED
/FROM_SUBSTRING
/TO_SUBSTRING
/SUBJECT_SUBSTRING

FORMAT
PARAMETERS

READ

[foldername] [message-number]

message-number
Indicates the number of the message to be read. The message number
represents the position of a message in a folder. If you specify a number
greater than the number of messages in the folder, MAIL displays the last
message in the folder. Therefore, to read the latest message in a folder,
specify a large message number or enter the LAST command.

QUALIFIERS

/BEFORE=date
Displays mail messages received before the specified date. If no date is
specified, all the mail messages received before the current day ("today") are
displayed.

/CC_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the CC field of the message.

MAIL-69

MAIL
READ

/EDIT
Invokes the default editor. You can use the editor to easily peruse the next
message. When you are done, enter the QUIT command and return to the
MAIL> prompt. If you decide to edit the message and want to keep a copy
of the newly edited message, enter the appropriate command to exit from
your editor (use the EXIT command with the EDT editor) and supply a file
name.

/FROM_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the FROM field of the message.

/MARKED
/NOMARKED
Selects messages that have been marked. The /NOMARKED qualifier selects
messages that are not marked.

/NEW
Displays new mail messages received while you are in MAIL. If there are no
new messages, the message "No new messages" is displayed.

/REPLIED
/NOREPLIED
Selects messages that have been replied to via the REPLY command. The
/NOREPLIED qualifier selects messages that have not been replied to.

/SINCE=date
Displays mail messages received on or after the specified date. If no date is
specified, all the mail messages received after the current day ("today") are
displayed.

/SUBJECT_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the SUBJECT field of the message.

/TO_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the TO field of the message.

EXAMPLES

MAIL> READ/SUBJECT_SUBSTRING= MEETINGS
MAIL
#
From
Date
Subject
1

BILL

16-APR-1988

Future Meetings

This example shows how to use the /SUBJECT_SUBSTRING qualifier with
the READ command to find messages that contain the substring MEETINGS.
~

MAIL> READ/BEFORE=16-MAY

This example shows how to use the /BEFORE qualifier with the READ
command to display all the mail messages in the current folder received
before May 16, 1988.

MAIL-70

MAIL
READ

MAIL> READ/SINCE=13-0CT

This example shows how to use the /SINCE qualifier with the READ
command to display all the mail messages in the current folder received
on or after October 13, 1988.
~

MAIL> READ/NEW

This example shows how to read new mail received while you are in MAIL.

MAIL-71

MAIL
REMOVE

REMOVE
Removes a user record from the profile. You need SYSPRV privilege to
remove a record. If you try to remove a user name not in the user profile,
you receive the following message:

%MAIL-E_NOSUCHUSR, no such user as XYZ

FORMAT
PARAMETER

QUALIFIERS

MAIL-72

REMOVE

username

username
Specifies the name of the user to be removed from the profile.

None.

MAIL
REPLY

REPLY
The REPLY command is synonymous with the ANSWER command. It
sends a message to the sender of the message you are currently reading
or of the one you last read. If you do not specify the name of a file to be
sent as your reply, you are prompted for the text of your reply.
Note that you must be reading a message in order to reply to it.
If you change your mind about replying to a message after you have
already entered the REPLY command, press CTRL/C to abort the message
and return to the MAIL> prompt.

FORMAT
PARAMETER

REPLV

[filespec]

filespec
Indicates the name of the file to be sent as a reply.

QUALIFIERS

/CC_PROMPT
/NOCC_PROMPT
Prompts for CC: line in mail header. Overrides the SET cc_pRQMPT
command.

/EDIT
/NO EDIT
Invokes the default editor to edit the reply you are sending. When you exit
from the editor, the edited message is sent. To cancel the sending of the
message, enter the QUIT command. If you enter the DCL command MAIL
/EDIT=(REPLY) and then decide that you do not want to invoke the editor
for your response, enter the MAIL command REPLY/NOEDIT.

/EXTRACT
Invokes the default editor to enable you to edit the current message to which
you are replying.

/PERSONAL_NAME=name
/NOPERSONAL_NAME
Specifies the personal name to be used when replying to tli.e current message.
The /NOPERSONAL_NAME qualifier sends a reply with a null personal
name field.

/SUBJECT="subject-text"
Enables you to specify a different subject when replying to a message.
MAIL-73

MAIL
REPLY

EXAMPLES
iJ

MAIL> REPLY/EXTRACT
To: FLAXEN: :STARCK
Subj: RE:Verbosity
This text was mailed to a user named STARCK.
[EOB]

*EXIT
DISK$: [STARCK]MAIL.TMP;1 17 lines
MAIL>

This example shows how to use the /EXTRACT qualifier to edit your response
to a user named STARCK on node FLAXEN before sending it.
~

MAIL> REPLY/SELF
To: FLAME: :CORSTAN, HOWE
Subj: RE: Ecology
Enter your message below. Press CTRL/Z when complete,CTRL/C to quit:

!CTRL/ZI
New mail on node MARBLE from HOWE

This example shows how a user named HOWE on node MARBLE replies to a
user named CORSTAN on node FLAME. The /SELF qualifier enables MAIL
to return a copy of the reply back to HOWE.
~

MAIL> READ
From: ADAMS
To: JEFFERSON
Subject: Meeting in Washington
Don't forget the meeting today.

MAIL> REPLY/SUBJECT="What time?"
To: ADAMS
Subject: What time?
Enter your message below. Press CTRL/Z when complete,CTRL/C to quit:
What time was that meeting?

This example shows how to specify a different subject in response to a
message. User JEFFERSON receives a message from user ADAMS with the
subject "Meeting in Washington." In response, user ADAMS wants to change
the subject line to "What time?"; RE: does not appear on the subject line.

MAIL-74

MAIL
SEARCH

SEARCH
Se!=lrches the currently selected folder for the message containing the first
occurrence of the specified text string.

FORMAT
PARAMETER

search-string

[search-string]
Indicates the text string that MAIL searches for in the currently selected
messages. The search starts from the beginning of the messages in the current
folder. If search-string is not specified, a search is made for the previously
specified string, starting after the message you are currently reading (or have
just read).

QUALIFIERS

None.

EXAMPLE
MAIL> SEARCH "under the"
From:
To:

BURT
ANTON

Subj:

Coal Mines

They commute under the earth ...
MAIL>

This example shows how to search for the string 'under the'.

MAIL-75

MAIL
SELECT

SELECT
Establishes a set of messages that you can manipulate. You can copy or
move selected messages from one folder to another; or you can read and
delete, or search and extract, a set of messages. After you select a set of
messages, you can use the following commands to affect them:
COPY
DELETE
DIRECTORY
EXTRACT
FILE
MOVE
READ
SEARCH
You can also use the SELECT command to move from one folder to
another. If you select a folder that does not exist, MAIL displays the
following message:
%MAIL-E-NOTEXIST, folder "foldername" does not exist

FORMAT
PARAMETER

SELECT [foldername]

foldername
Specifies the name of the folder. If you omit this parameter and have already
specified a folder, messages from that folder are selected. If you have not
specified a folder, messages from the NEWMAIL folder are selected. If the
NEWMAIL folder does not exist, messages from the MAIL folder are selected.

QUALIFIERS

/BEFORE=date
Indicates that messages dated before the specified date be selected. If no date
is specified, all the messages received before the current day ("today") are
selected.

/CC_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the CC field of the message.

/FROM_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the FROM field of the message.

/MARKED
/NOMARKED
Selects messages that have been marked. The /NOMARKED qualifier selects
messages that are not marked.

/NEW
Indicates that new (unread) messages be selected. When a mail file other than
your default mail file is open, MAIL closes the file and opens your default
mail file.
MAIL-76

MAIL
SELECT

/REPLIED
/NOREPLIED
Selects messages that have been replied to via the REPLY command. The
/NOREPLIED qualifier selects messages that have not been replied to.

/S/NCE=date
Indicates that messages dated after the specified date be selected. If no date is
specified, all the messages received on the current day ("today") are selected.

/SUBJECT_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the SUBJECT field of the message.

/TO_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the TO field of the message.

EXAMPLES

MAIL> DIRECTORY /FOLDERS 0
Listing of folders in DISK$APEX: [HARRIS]MAIL.MAI;1
Press CTRL/C to cancel listing
MAIL
WASTEBASKET
COURSES

NEWMAIL
JUNK

MAIL> SELECT WASTEBASKET f)
%MAIL-I-SELECTED, 3 messages selected
MAIL> DIRECTORY C)
WASTEBASKET
#

From

Date

1
2
3

MORRIS 19-APR-1988
MORRIS 21-APR-1988
BURT
22-APR-1988

Subject
Venus Fly Traps
The Aloe
Scales

0 Enter the DIRECTORY /FOLDERS command to display all currently
existing folders.
f)

Enter the SELECT command to move to the WASTEBASKET folder.

Enter the DIRECTORY command to display the contents of the
WASTEBASKET folder.

This example shows how to use the SELECT command to move from the
MAIL folder to the WASTEBASKET folder.

MAIL-77

MAIL
SELECT
~

MAIL> SELECT/BEFORE=12-APR-1988
%MAIL-I-SELECTED, 2 messages selected
MAIL> DIRECTORY
#

From

Date

1
2

MARTY
BART

10-APR-1988
11-APR-1988

Subject
Food
Soup

This example shows how to display all the mail messages received before
April 12, 1988.
~

MAIL> SELECT/NEW

This example shows how to select all the new (unread) mail messages.
Because NEWMAIL is the implied folder name, you do not need to specify a
folder name.

MAIL-78

MAIL
SEND

SEND
Sends a message to one or more other users. You can use the SEND
command and the MAIL command interchangeably because they work the
same way.
MAIL prompts you first for the name of the user or users to receive
the message. You reply with the user names or with the file names of
distribution lists, in the following format:
[ [nodename: : ] username .... ] [,] [©listname [, ... ] ]

If you have entered the SET CC_PROMPT command, you can specify
names of users to receive carbon copies of the message at the CC:
prompt.
Next, MAIL prompts you for the subject of the mail. To avoid the Subj:
prompt, specify the /SUBJECT qualifier with the SEND command.
You can include a file specification with the SEND command. If you do,
the text in that file is sent to the specified users. If you do not specify a
file, MAIL prompts you for the text of your message.
Enter the message you want to send, then press CTRL/Z. Note that, once
you have typed a line and pressed RETURN, there is no way to edit it.
Using the /EDIT qualifier enables you to edit the entire message before
you send it. The /LAST qualifier enables you to send the last message.
The /LAST qualifier, used with the /EDIT qualifier, enables you to edit
the last message you sent. If you decide not to send a message you are
typing but want to stay within the Mail Utility, press CTRL/C to abort the
message. You then receive the MAIL> prompt. CTRL/Y exits you from
MAIL.

FORMAT
PARAMETER

SEND

[filespec}

file spec
Indicates the name of the file to be sent.

QUALIFIERS

/CC_PROMPT
/NOCC_PROMPT
Prompts for CC: line in the mail header. Overrides the SET cc_pRQMPT
command.

/EDIT
/NOEDIT
Determines whether the default editor is invoked to edit the message you are
sending. The /NOEDIT qualifier overrides the SEND /EDIT default if you
entered the DCL command MAIL/EDIT.

MAIL-79

MAIL
SEND

If you are interrupted while editing a mail message, a journal file is created
containing your edits. To recover your edits, enter the following command
line. (You may substitute another word of your choice for the word OOPS.)
$ EDIT/RECOVER/JOURNAL=SYS$SCRATCH:MAIL.JOU SYS$SCRATCH:OOPS.TMP

The editor is invoked displaying the text of the message you were editing.
After you exit from the editor, you can mail the file (in this case, OOPS.TMP)
by using the MAIL command SEND, as follows:
MAIL> SEND OOPS.TMP
To: MCNALLY
Subject: Vacationing in Venice

/LAST
Specifies that the last message be used as the text for the message you are
currently sending. You can use /LAST with the /EDIT qualifier to edit the
message before sending it. Press CTRL/C and enter the following command:
MAIL> SEND/LAST/EDIT

This command invokes the editor and allows you to edit the last message.
Send the revised message by entering the EXIT command.

/PERSONAL_NAME=name
/NOPERSONAL_NAME
Specifies the personal name to be used when sending this message. The
/NOPERSONAL_NAME qualifier sends a message with a null personal
name field.

/SELF
/NOS ELF
Determines whether MAIL sends a copy of the message you are sending
back to you. The /NOSELF qualifier overrides the SET COPY_SELF SEND
command.

/SUBJECT=''subject-text"
Specifies the subject of the mail message to be sent.

MAIL-80

MAIL
SEND

EXAMPLES

MAIL> SEND
To: FLIGHT: :WRIGHT
Subj: Meeting
Enter your message below. Press CTRL/Z when complete, CTRL/C to quit:
We will have our meeting on Monday, August 31st, as scheduled.
Please make sure you are prompt.

JCTRL/Cl

% MAIL_E_SENDABORT, no message sent
MAIL> SEND/LAST/EDIT
To: FLIGHT: :WRIGHT
Subj: Meeting date correction
We will have our meeting on Friday, September 4th, as scheduled.
Please make sure you are prompt.

[EOB]
JCTRL/Zl
*EXIT

MAIL>

This example shows how to edit the last message before sending it to user
WRIGHT on node FLIGHT. To make a change in text, enter CTRL/C and
invoke the editor by entering the SEND /LAST /EDIT command. Edit the
message you were in the process of entering, and send it by entering the EXIT
command.
~

MAIL> SEND/SELF /SUBJECT="Good Harbor"
To: DAPPER: :WAYNE
CC: JACKSON
Enter your message below. Press CTRL/Z when complete, CTRL/C to quit:

This example shows how to send a mail message to a user named WAYNE
on node DAPPER and a carbon copy of the message to user JACKSON. The
/SELF qualifier enables MAIL to send a copy of the same message back
to you. The subject of the message is Good Harbor. Since the /SUBJECT
qualifier was specified, there is no Subject: prompt.
~

MAIL> SEND
To: BAKER,MARSTON,©SUPERVISORS
Subject: Handling Stress
Enter your message below. Press CTRL/Z when complete, CTRL/C to quit:

This example shows how to send a mail message to two users (BAKER and
MARSTON) and a distribution list (SUPERVISORS).

MAIL-81

MAIL
SEND

MAIL> SEND/EDIT
To: WAMPUS
Subject: Duck Activities

CTRL/Y

$ EDIT/RECOVER/JOURNAL=SYS$SCRATCH:MAIL.JOU SYS$SCRATCH:DUCK.TMP

Command: EXIT
DISK$WRITERS: [FLYNN]DUCK.TMP;1 14 lines
$ MAIL
MAIL> SEND DUCK.TMP
To: WAMPUS
Subject: Duck Activities

This example shows how a user named FLYNN recovers an editing session
after being interrupted by CTRL/Y. A temporary file named DUCK.TMP is
created, which user FLYNN then sends to a user named WAMPUS.

MAIL-82

MAIL
SET/SHOW AUTO_PURGE

SET/SHOW AUTO_PURGE
Determines whether MAIL empties the WASTEBASKET folder when you
enter the EXIT or SET FILE command. When you use the
SET NOAUTO_PURGE command, you must enter the PURGE command
periodically to delete the messages in the WASTE BASKET folder.
The default you establish with the SET AUTQ_PURGE command remains
in effect until you enter the SET NOAUTO_PURGE command.
The SHOW AUTQ_PURGE command indicates whether you have used the
SET AUTO_PURGE command.

FORMAT

SET AUTO_PURGE
SET NOAUTO_PURGE
SHOW AUTO_PURGE

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIERS

None.

EXAMPLES

MAIL> SET AUTO_PURGE
MAIL> SHOW AUTO_PURGE
Automatic deleted message purge is enabled

This example shows how to use the SET AUTQ_pURGE command to enable
MAIL to delete the messages in the WASTEBASKET folder every time you
enter the EXIT command or the SET FILE command. The
SHOW AUTQ_pURGE command displays whether automatic purging is
enabled.

MAIL-83

MAIL
SET/SHOW cc_PROMPT

SET/SHOW CC_PROMPT
Sets the default for determining whether the carbon copy (CC:) prompt
appears when sending a message.

FORMAT

SET cc_PROMPT
SET NOCC_PROMPT
SHOW cc_PROMPT

EXAMPLE

MAIL> SET CC_PROMPT
MAIL> SEND
To :Smith

CC:Jones
Subject:

This example shows how to set the carbon copy prompt. A copy of the
message is sent to JONES.

MAIL-84

MAIL
SET/SHOW EDITOR

SET/SHOW EDITOR
Invokes a text editor. Use the MAIL command SEND/EDIT to edit the
message. The SHOW EDITOR command displays the name of the editor.

FORMAT

PARAMETER

SET EDITOR editor-name
SHOW EDITOR
editor-name
Indicates the name of the editor. You can use any callable editor available on
your system.

QUALIFIERS

None.

EXAMPLE
MAIL> SHOW EDITOR
Your editor is EDT
MAIL> SET EDITOR TPU
MAIL> SHOW EDITOR
Your editor is TPU
MAIL> SEND/EDIT
To: WHITE: :STAFFORD
Subject: Manufacturing Office

This example shows how to change the editor from the default EDT editor to
the TPU editor. Enter the MAIL command SEND /EDIT to edit the text of a
message. Send the message by pressing CTRL/Z.

MAIL-85

MAIL
SET/SHOW COPV_SELF

SET/SHOW COPY_SELF
Sets the default for determining whether the SEND, REPLY, or FORWARD
commands return to the sender a copy of the message being sent.
By specifying NOSEND, NORE PLY, or NOFORW ARD with the
SET COPY_SELF command, you can clear any default copying you have
established with the SET COPY_SELF command.
The SHOW COPY_SELF command displays which command (SEND,
REPLY, or FORWARD) automatically sends a copy of the message to you.

FORMAT

PARAMETER

SET COPY_SELF command [,command]
SHOW COPY_SELF
command
The command parameter can be any one of the following: SEND, NOSEND,
REPLY, NOREPLY, FORWARD, or NOFORWARD. You can use NOSEND,
NOREPLY, and NOFORWARD to reverse previous settings of SEND, REPLY,
or FORWARD.

QUALIFIERS

None.

EXAMPLES

MAIL> SHOW COPY_SELF
Automatic copies to yourself are disabled

This example shows the message MAIL displays when you have not used
the SET COPY_SELF command and you enter the SHOW COPY_SELF
command.
MAIL> SET COPY_SELF SEND
MAIL> SHOW COPY_SELF
Automatic copy to yourself on SEND

This example shows how to use the SET COPY_SELF command to enable
copies of mail messages you SEND to be returned back to you. The SHOW
COPY_SELF command indicates that you have enabled automatic copying
when you enter a SEND command.

MAIL-86

MAIL
SET/SHOW FILE

SET/SHOW FILE
Establishes (or opens) another file as the current mail file. By default, your
mail file is MAIL.MAI. If you use the COPY command, the FILE command,
or the MOVE command to create other mail files (for example, JOKES.MAI
or HISTORY.MAI), you can then use the SET FILE command to open the
MAIL files.
When you enter the SET FILE command, the WASTEBASKET folder of the
current mail file is emptied, the file is closed, and the specified (alternate)
file is opened.
The SHOW FILE command displays the name of the mail file that is
currently open.

FORMAT

PARAMETER

SET FILE filename
SHOW FILE
filename
Indicates the name of the mail file you are opening.

QUALIFIERS

None.

EXAMPLES

MAIL> SHOW FILE
Your current mail file is DISK$: [ARAS]MAIL.MAI;2
MAIL> 2
MAIL> COPY
_Folder: LIMERICKS
_FILE: JOKES
File DISK$: [ARAS]JOKES.MAI; does not exist.
Do you want to create it (Y/N, default is N)? y
%MAIL-S-CREATED, DISK$: [ARAS]JOKES.MAI;1 created
MAIL> SET FILE JOKES
MAIL> SHOW FILE
Your current mail file is DISK$: [ARAS]JOKES.MAI

This example demonstrates how to use the SHOW FILE command to display
the name of the mail file that is currently open (MAIL.MAI). The COPY
command creates a new folder (LIMERICKS) and a new mail file (JOKES)
and copies message 2. The SET FILE command opens the mail file named
JOKES.MAI that you just created. Note that you must be reading a message
to copy it or you get the following message:
%MAIL-E-NOTREADIN, you aren't reading a message.

MAIL-87

MAIL
SET/SHOW FOLDER

SET/SHOW FOLDER
Establishes a set of messages that you can affect as a group. You can
copy or move this set of messages from one folder to another; or you can
read and delete, or search and extract, a set of messages. After you enter
the SET FOLDER command, selecting a set of messages, you can use the
following commands to affect them:
COPY
DELETE
DIRECTORY
EXTRACT
FILE
MOVE
READ
SEARCH
You can also use the SET FOLDER command to move from one folder to
another. If you use the SET FOLDER command to move to a folder that
does not exist, MAIL displays the following message:
%MAIL-E-NOTEXIST, folder "foldername" does not exist

The SHOW FOLDER command displays the current folder name.

FORMAT

PARAMETER

SET FOLDER [foldername]
SHOW FOLDER [foldername]

fo/dername
Specifies the name of the folder. If you omit this parameter and have already
specified a folder, messages from that folder are selected. If you have not
selected a folder, messages from the NEWMAIL folder are selected. If the
NEWMAIL folder does not exist, messages from the MAIL folder are selected.

QUALIFIERS

/BEFORE=date
Indicates that messages dated before the specified date be selected. If no date
is specified, all the messages received before the current day ("today") are
selected.

/CC_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the CC field of the message.

/FROM_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the FROM field of the message.

/MARKED
/NOMARKED
Selects messages that have been marked. The /NOMARKED qualifier selects
messages that are not marked.

MAIL-88

MAIL
SET/SHOW FOLDER

/NEW
Indicates that new (unread) messages be selected. When a mail file other than
your default mail file is open, MAIL closes the file and opens your default
mail file.

/REPLIED
/NOREPLIED
Selects messages that have been replied to via the REPLY command. The
/NOREPLIED qualifier selects messages that have not been replied to.

/SINCE=date
Indicates that messages dated after the specified date be selected_._ If no date is
specified, all the messages received on the current day ("today") are selected.

/SUBJECT_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the SUBJECT field of the message.

/TO_SUBSTRING=text
Selects messages containing "text" in the TO field of the message.

EXAMPLES

MAIL> DIRECTORY /FOLDERS 0
Listing of folders in DISK$APEX:[MACDONALD]MAIL.MAI;1
Press CTRL/C to cancel listing
NEWMAIL
JUNK

MAIL
WASTEBASKET
COURSES

MAIL> SET FOLDER WASTEBASKET 8
%MAIL-I-SELECTED, 3 messages selected
MAIL> DIRECTORY C)
WASTEBASKET
#

From

Date

1
2
3

MORRIS
MORRIS
BURT

19-APR-1988
21-APR-1988
22-APR-1988

Subject
Venus Fly Traps
The Aloe
Scales

Enter the DIRECTORY /FOLDERS command to display all currently
existing folders.

Enter the SET FOLDER command to move to the WASTEBASKET folder.

Enter the DIRECTORY command to display the contents of the
WASTEBASKET folder.

This example shows how to use the SET FOLDER command to move from
the MAIL folder to the WASTEBASKET folder.

MAIL-89

MAIL
SET/SHOW FOLDER

MAIL> SET FOLDER/BEFORE=12-APR-1988
%MAIL-I-SELECTED, 2 messages selected
MAIL> DIRECTORY
#

From

Date

Subject

1
2

MARTY
BART

10-APR-1988
11-APR-1988

Food
Soup

This example shows how to display all the mail messages received before
April 12, 1988.
~

MAIL> SET FOLDER/NEW

This example shows how to select all the new (unread) mail messages.
Because NEWMAIL is the implied folder name, you do not need to specify a
folder name.

MAIL-90

MAIL
SET/SHOW FORM

SET/SHOW FORM
The SET FORM command sets the default print form field in the user
profile. See your system manager for valid forms on your system or enter
the DCL command SHOW QUEUE/FORM. The print form is changed only
for printing done within the Mail Utility. SET NOFORM clears the default
print form.

FORMAT

PARAMETER

SET FORM form-name
SETNOFORM
SHOW FORM
form-name
Indicates the name of the default form to be used.

EXAMPLES
iJ

MAIL> SET FORM 80_COL
MAIL> SHOW FORM
Your default print form is 80_COL

This example shows how to set your default print form to 80-COL. Enter the
SHOW FORM command to verify your default print form.

MAIL-91

MAIL
SET/SHOW FORWARD

SET/SHOW FORWARD
Sets a forwarding address for your mail. After you enter the SET
FORWARD command, the address you specify will receive mail messages.
The default you establish with the SET FORWARD command remains in
effect until you enter the SET NOFORW ARD command.
The SHOW FORWARD command displays the name of the specified
forwarding address.
If you have SYSNAM privilege, you can set and show forwarding
addresses for other users.

FORMAT

PARAMETER

SET FORWARD address
SET NOFORWARD
SHOW FORWARD
address
Indicates the address (NODE::NAME) to which your mail is forwarded.

QUALIFIERS

/ALL
The /ALL qualifier lists forwarding information or displays a message if the
specified user does not have forwarding enabled.

/USER=user-name
Indicates the name of another user for whom you are setting or showing
a forwarding address. You can use the /USER qualifier only if you have
SYSNAM privilege. With the SHOW FORWARD command, there are two
ways to show a user's forwarding address: You can specify the user name
or you can use the wildcard characters (* or%) to search for names with a
particular string in common.

EXAMPLES

D MAIL> SET FORWARD NEXUS: :LARS

MAIL> SHOW FORWARD
Your mail is being forwarded to NEXUS: :LARS
MAIL>

This example shows how a user named LARS establishes a forwarding
address on node NEXUS with the SET FORWARD command, and displays
the forwarding address with the SHOW FORWARD command.

MAIL-92

MAIL
SET/SHOW FORWARD
~

MAIL> SHOW FDRWARD/ALL/USER=C*
Username
Forwarding address
CARTON
VIOLET : : CARTON
COLLINS
None
CRUTHERS
GREEN : : CRUTHERS
CULLIN
GRAY: : CULLIN

This example shows a wildcard search for all users whcse names begin with
the letter 'C'. Since the /ALL qualifier has been specified, all users are listed,
even if they have not entered a forwarding address. This is the case for user
COLLINS. Since COLLINS has not specified a personal name, NONE appears
under the "Forwarding address" heading.
~

MAIL> SHOW FORWARD/USER=BENNETT
BENNETT has not set a forwarding address

This example shows how to display the forwarding address of user
BENNETT. Since BENNETT has not set a forwarding address, the message is
output.

MAIL-93

MAIL
SET/SHOW MAIL_DIRECTORY

SET/SHOW MAIL_DIRECTORY
Specifies that all MAI files be moved from your SYS$LOGIN directory to
the specified subdirectory.
The SET NOMAIL _DIRECTORY command specifies that all MAI files be
moved from the subdirectory back to your SYS$LOGIN directory.
The SHOW MAIL_DIRECTORY command displays the name of the device
and directory containing all your MAI files.

FORMAT

SET MAIL_DIRECTORY {.subdirectory-name}
SET NOMAIL_DIRECTORY
SHOW MAIL_DIRECTORY

PARAMETER

[.subdirectory-name]
Specifies the name of the subdirectory in your SYS$LOGIN directory to
which all MAI files are to be moved.

QUALIFIER

/LOG
Displays a listing of the MAI files moved from the previous directory to the
specified subdirectory.

EXAMPLES

D $ SHOW TRANSLATION SYS$LOGIN

SYS$LOGIN ="DISK$: [DALTON]"

(LNM$PROCESS_TABLE)

MAIL> SHOW MAIL_DIRECTORY
Your mail file directory is DISK$: [DALTON]
MAIL> SET MAIL_DIRECTORY [.MAIL]
%MAIL-I-CREATED, DISK$: [DALTON.MAIL] created
MAIL> SHOW MAIL_DIRECTORY
Your mail file directory is DISK$: [DALTON.MAIL]

$ SET DEFAULT [DALTON.MAIL]
$ DIRECTORY

This example shows how to create a subdirectory containing all your MAI
files. (The DCL command SHOW TRANSLATION displays the logical name
for your default top-level directory, SYS$LOGIN.)

MAIL-94

MAIL
SET/SHOW PERSONAL_NAME

SET/SHOW PERSONAL_NAME
Enables you to append a field to the end of the From: field of mail
messages you send. You can fill this field with your full name or any
other information.
The SET NOPERSONAL _NAME command clears any name you previously
specified with the SET PERSONAL_NAME command.
The SHOW PERSONAL_NAME command displays a user's personal
name.

FORMAT

PARAMETER

SET PERSONAL_NAME ''text-string"
SET NOPERSONAL_NAME
SHOW PERSONAL_NAME
"text-string"
Specifies the string for the From: field of mail messages you send. You
must enclose the string in quotation marks; otherwise, MAIL converts it to
uppercase letters. You must begin the string with an alphabetic character and
avoid two consecutive embedded spaces within the string. The length of the
text string should not exceed 127 characters.

QUALIFIER

/ALL
The /ALL qualifier lists personal name information or displays a message if
the specified user has not entered a personal name.

/USER=name
Used with the SHOW PERSONAL _NAME command to allow a user with
SYSNAM privilege to list personal names set by other users. There are two
ways to show a user's personal name. The user name can be specified, or you
can use the wildcard characters (* or %) to search for names with a particular
string in common.

MAIL-95

MAIL
SET/SHOW PERSONAL_NAME

EXAMPLES

MAIL> SET PERSONAL_NAME "Catherine the Great"

MAIL> SEND

New mail on node FLAXEN from ALPHA: :BELLINI "Catherine the Great"

From: ALPHA: :BELLINI "Catherine the Great"
To: FLAXEN: :STARCK

19-APR-1988 15:34

This example shows how a user named BELLINI sets her personal name to
Catherine the Great.
~

MAIL> SHOW PERSONAL_NAME/ALL/USER=A*N
Username
Fullname
ACKEN
Joe Joe
ANDERSEN
Hans Christian
ARON
None

This example shows a wildcard search for users whose names begin with A
and end with N. Since user ARON has not entered a personal name, NONE
appears under the 'Fullname' heading.
~

MAIL> SHOW PERSONAL_NAME/USER=NELSON
NELSON has not set a personal name

This example shows how to display the personal name of user NELSON.
Since NELSON has not set a personal name, the message is displayed.

MAIL-96

MAIL
SET/SHOW QUEUE

SET/SHOW QUEUE
The SET QUEUE command sets the default print queue field in the user
profile. When you enter the PRINT command, your job is sent to the
print queue you have defined with the SET QUEUE command. (See your
system manager for the print queues available on your system.) The
queue is changed only for printing done within the Mail Utility. SET
NOQUEUE clears the previously defined print queue and sets the queue to
SYS$PRINT, the default print queue. The SHOW QUEUE command shows
your default print queue.

FORMAT

'PARAMETER

SET QUEUE queue-name
SETNOQUEUE
SHOW QUEUE
queue-name
Indicates the name of the default queue to be used.

EXAMPLE

MAIL> SHOW QUEUE
Your default print queue is SYS$PRINT
MAIL> SET QUEUE LMNO$PRINT
Your default print queue is LMNO$PRINT.
MAIL> 4
MAIL> PRINT
MAIL> exit
Job MAIL (queue LMNO$PRINT, entry 22) started on LMNO$PRINT
MAIL> SET NOQUEUE
Your default print queue is SYS$PRINT.

This example shows how to set your default print queue to LMNO$PRINT
and send a message to the new default queue. The SET NOQUEUE command
clears the previously defined queue and sets the queue to SYS$PRINT, the
default.

MAIL-97

MAIL
SET/SHOW WASTEBASKET_NAME

SET/SHOW WASTEBASKET_NAME
Enables you to change the name of the WASTEBASKET folder. The
WASTEBASKET folder contains messages selected to be deleted. You
can delete all the messages in the WASTEBASKET folder by entering
either the PURGE or EXIT command. You can avoid deleting messages in
the WASTEBASKET folder by entering the QUIT command.
When you change the name of a WASTEBASKET folder while it contains
deleted messages, these deleted messages move to the newly named
WASTE BASKET folder.
The SHOW WASTEBASKET_NAME command displays the name of the
WASTEBASKET folder.

FORMAT

PARAMETER

SET WASTEBASKET_NAME foldername
SHOW WATEBASKET_NAME
foldername
Indicates the name that replaces the name WASTEBASKET for the folder
containing deleted messages. You can use any alphanumeric string for the
new WASTEBASKET folder name except MAIL or NEWMAIL.

QUALIFIERS

None.

EXAMPLE
[I

MAIL> SET WASTEBASKET_NAME GARBAGE
MAIL> SHOW WASTEBASKET_NAME
The wastebasket folder name is GARBAGE

This example shows how to change and display the name of the
WASTEBASKET folder.

MAIL-98

MAIL
SHOW ALL

SHOW ALL
Displays detailed information about the state of MAIL.

FORMAT

SHOW ALL

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIERS

None.

EXAMPLE

MAIL> SHOW ALL
Your mail file directory is DISK:[SIMPSON].
Your current mail file is DISK$DOCUMENT: [SIMPSON.NEWMAIL]MAIL.MAI;1.
Your current mail folder is MAIL.
The wastebasket folder name is GARBAGE.
Mail file DISK$DOCUMENT: [SIMPSON.NEWMAIL]MAIL.MAI;1
contains 0 deleted message bytes.
You have 3 new messages.
You have not set a forwarding address.
Your personal name is "Louise Simpson".
Your editor is EDT
CC prompting is disabled.
Automatic copies to yourself are disabled.
Automatic deleted message purge is enabled.
Your default print queue is SYS$PRINT.
You have not specified a default print form.

This example shows how a user named Louise Simpson displayed the
following information about MAIL by entering the SHOW ALL command:
•

The name of her mail file directory

•

The current mail file and folder

•

The name of the WASTEBASKET folder (see the
SET WASTEBASKET_NAME command)

•

The amount of deleted message space

•

The number of any new (unread) messages

•

Her forwarding address, if set (see the SET FORWARD command)

•

Her personal name, if set (see the SET PERSONAL_NAME command)

•

Her default editor is EDT (see the SET EDITOR command)

•

Whether she receives a CC: (carbon copy) prompt when sending mail

MAIL-99

MAIL
SHOW ALL

MAIL-100

•

Whether she receives copies of mail messages when she uses SEND or
ANSWER (see the SET COPY_SELF command)

•

Whether MAIL empties the WASTEBASKET folder when she uses EXIT
or SET FILE (see the SET AUTO_PURGE command)

•

The default print queue

•

The default print form when she prints her mail messages

MAIL
SHOW DELETED

SHOW DELETED
Displays the amount of deleted message space in the current mail file.

FORMAT

SHOW DELETED

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIERS

None.

EXAMPLE

MAIL> SHOW DELETED
Mail file DISK$NOE: [TORTELLINI.NEWMAIL]MAIL.MAI;1
contains 2452 deleted message bytes.

This example shows how a user named TORTELLINI displays the number of
deleted message bytes.

MAIL-101

MAIL
SHOW KEY

SHOW KEY
Displays the key definitions created by the DEFINE/KEY command.

FORMAT
PARAMETER

SHOW KEY

[key-name]

key-name
Specifies the name of the key for which you want to display the definition.
See the DEFINE/KEY command for a list of the valid key names.

QUALIFIERS

/ALL
Displays all of the key definitions in the specified state or states. You do not
need to specify a key name.

/BRIEF
Displays the key definition only. If you do not specify /BRIEF, all of the
qualifiers associated with the key definition are displayed by default.

/DIRECTORY
Displays the names of all the states for which keys have been defined. If you
have not defined any keys, SHOW KEY/DIRECTORY displays the DEFAULT
and GOLD states (for the default and GOLD key definitions on the MAIL
keypad).

/STATE=(state,state, ... )
Specifies the name of a state for which the specified key definitions are to
be displayed. If you specify two or more state names, separate them with
commas and enclose the list in parentheses.

EXAMPLES

MAIL> SHOW KEY PF 4
DEFAULT keypad definitions:
PF4 = "read" (echo, terminate)

This example shows how to use the SHOW KEY command to display the
definition of the PF4 key. When the PF4 key was defined, two qualifiers
(/ECHO and /TERMINATE) were specified.
~

MAIL> SHOW KEY/ALL
DEFAULT keypad definitions:
PF1 = "directory" (echo, state = FOLDER)
PF2 = "HELP" (echo, terminate)
PF3 = "select" (echo, terminate)
PF4 = "read" (echo, terminate)
PF5 = "NEXT" (echo, terminate)

This example shows how to use the SHOW KEY command to display all of
the key definitions that you have created with the DEFINE/KEY command.
MAIL-102

MAIL
SHOW NEW_MAIL_CQUNT

SHOW NEW_MAIL_COUNT
Displays the number of unread mail messages.

FORMAT

SHOW NEW_MAIL_COUNT

PARAMETERS

None.

QUALIFIERS

None.

EXAMPLE
[I

MAIL> SHOW NEW_MAIL_COUNT
You have 3 new messages.

This example shows how the SHOW NEW_MAIL _COUNT command
displays the number of unread mail messages; in this case, there are three
unread messages.

MAIL-103

MAIL
SPAWN

SPAWN
Creates a subprocess of the current process. The context of the
subprocess is copied from the current process. You can use the SPAWN
command to leave MAIL temporarily, perform other functions (such as
displaying a directory listing or printing a file), and then return to MAIL.

FORMAT
PARAMETER

SPAWN

[command]

command
Specifies the DCL command string that executes in the context of the created
subprocess. When the command completes, the subprocess terminates and
control is returned to the parent process. If this parameter is not specified, a
subprocess is created that transfers control to the DCL command level.

QUALIFIERS

/INPUT=filespec
Specifies an input file containing one or more DCL command strings to be
executed by the spawned subprocess. If you specify a command string along
with an input file, the command string is processed before the commands in
the input file. Once processing is complete, the subprocess is terminated.

/LOGICAL_NAMES
/NOLOGICAL_NAMES
Specifies that the logical names of the parent process are to be copied to the
subprocess. When you do not want the subprocess to use the logical names of
the parent process, enter the qualifier /NO LOGICAL _NAMES. The default
is /LOGICAL _NAMES.

/OUTPUT=filespec
Identifies the output file to which the results of the SP AWN operation are
written. Whenever you use the /NOWAIT qualifier, you should also use the
/OUTPUT qualifier to specify a new output destination. Doing so prevents
output from being displayed while you are specifying new commands. If
you omit the /OUTPUT qualifier, output is written by default to the current
SYS$0UTPUT device.

/PROCESS=subprocess-name
Specifies the name of the subprocess to be created. The default name of the
subprocess is USERNAME_n.

/SYMBOLS
/NOSYMBOLS
Determines whether the system passes DCL global and local symbols to the
subprocess. The default is /SYMBOLS.

/WAIT
/NO WAIT
Controls whether the system waits until the subprocess is completed before
allowing more commands to be specified. The /NOWAIT qualifier allows
MAIL-104

MAIL
SPAWN

you to specify new commands while the specified subprocess is running.
If you specify /NOWAIT, you should also use the /OUTPUT qualifier to
direct the output stream to a file, rather than displaying it on your terminal.
Doing so prevents your terminal from being used by more than one process
simultaneously.

EXAMPLES

MAIL> SPAWN SHOW TIME

This example shows how to create a subprocess that executes the DCL
command SHOW TIME while you are using MAIL.
~

MAIL> SPAWN PHONE

%EXIT
MAIL>

This example shows how to create a subprocess that invokes the VMS Phone
Utility while you are in MAIL. When you exit from the Phone Utility, the
subprocess disappears and the MAIL> prompt returns.
~

MAIL> SPAWN DIRECTORY

MAIL>

This example shows how to create a subprocess to invoke the DCL command
DIRECTORY.
~

MAIL> SPAWN /OUTPUT=TIME.DAT SHOW TIME
MAIL> EXIT
$ TYPE TIME . DAT
9-MAY-1988 15:34:07
$

This example shows how to create a subprocess to invoke the DCL command
SHOW TIME while you are using the Mail Utility. The /OUTPUT qualifier
specifies that the results of the SHOW TIME command are to be written to a
file named TIME.DAT.
~

MAIL> SPAWN /NOLOGICAL_NAMES SET HOST
_Node: MARS

$ LOGOUT
CRAMMER logged out at

%REM-S-END, control returned to node _BETA::
MAIL>

This example shows how to use the SPAWN command to create a subprocess
in which you SET HOST to another node. When you want to leave node
MARS and move back to node BETA, enter the DCL command LOGOUT.

MAIL-105

MAIL
SPAWN

The /NOLOGICAL _NAMES qualifier prevents the logical names of the
parent process from being copied to the subprocess.
~

MAIL> SPAWN RUNOFF FILENAME.RNO

MAIL>

This example shows how to spawn a subprocess to enter the DCL command
RUNOFF. While the subprocess is running, you cannot enter other
commands. When the RUNOFF has finished executing, the subprocess
discontinues and the MAIL> prompt returns.

(ii

MAIL> SPAWN/NOWAIT/OUTPUT=LOG.DAT RUNOFF FILENAME.RNO
MAIL>

This example shows how to use the /NOWAIT qualifier so you can enter
other commands while the DCL command RUNOFF is executing. Information
about the spawned subprocess is written to the output file named LOG.DAT.
~

MAIL> SPAWN STOP/ENTRY=667 SYS$BATCH
MAIL>
Batch job ACCOUNTING (queue SYS$BATCH, entry 667) was aborted on
1-JUN-1988 12:52

MAIL>

This example shows how to create a subprocess to stop a batch job.

MAIL-106

Index

A
ANSWER command• MAIL-26
See also REPLY command
ATTACH command• MAIL-28

B
BACK command• MAIL-30

c
COMPRESS command• MAIL-31
Control characters• MAIL-5
COPY command•MAIL-10, MAIL-32
Copying mail
to a sequential file• MAIL-3
Creating
a subprocess• MAIL-104
distribution lists• MAIL-6
files• MAIL-3
CTRL/C • MAIL-5
See also Sending messages
CTRL/Z • MAIL-1, MAIL-5
See also Sending messages
CURRENT command• MAIL-35
See also Reading

D
DCL commands• MAIL-1
DCL qualifiers• MAIL-19 to MAIL-23
DECnet-VAX•MAIL-7, MAIL-15, MAIL-18
Default editor
setting• MAIL-13
DEFINE/KEY command• MAIL-36
in initialization file• MAIL-16
Defining keys• MAIL-36
DELETE command• MAIL-39

Deleting
files• MAIL-12
folders• MAIL-12
messages• MAIL-8, MAIL-66
DIRECTORY command• MAIL-11, MAIL-41
Displaying information• MAIL-1
Distribution lists• MAIL-6, MAIL-57

E
EDIT command• MAIL-44
Editing messages• MAIL-19
Editor
invoking• MAIL-52
/EDIT qualifier• MAIL-13, MAIL-20
ERASE command• MAIL-46
EXIT command•MAIL-1, MAIL-47
EXTRACT command• MAIL-3, MAIL-48

F
FILE command• MAIL-10, MAIL-50
See also MOVE command
Files
protection of• MAIL-12
FIRST command• MAIL-52
Folders• MAIL-88
changing the name of• MAIL-98
copying messages to• MAIL-32
creating• MAIL-10
default• MAIL-9
deleting• MAIL-12
displaying• MAIL-11
modifying• MAIL-10
moving messages to• MAIL-39
NEWMAIL folder• MAIL-69
searching for text in• MAIL-75
selecting• MAIL-11
using to organize messages• MAIL-9
wastebasket• MAIL-66, MAIL-83
FORWARD command• MAIL-53

lndex-1

Index

H
HELP command• MAIL-1, MAIL-55

I
Initialization file• MAIL-16

K
Key definitions
displaying• MAIL-102
Keypad
default definitions• MAIL-15

L
LAST command
See also Reading• MAIL-56
Logical names• MAIL-15

M
MAIL
displaying information about• MAIL-99
exiting from•MAIL-47, MAIL-68
notification of• MAIL-1
specifying mail files• MAIL-11
wastebasket folder• MAIL-8
MAIL$1NIT file• MAIL-16
MAIL$SYSTEM_FLAGS logical name• MAIL-14
MAIL.MAI file•MAIL-1
MAIL command• MAIL-57
See also SEND command
Mail Utility
commands•MAIL-24 to MAIL-106
DCL commands• MAIL-1
DCL qualifiers• MAIL-19 to MAIL-23
exiting• MAIL-18
invoking•MAIL-1, MAIL-18
MARK command• MAIL-59

lndex-2

Message count
correcting with READ/NEW• MAIL-15
Messages
answering• MAIL-26, MAIL-73
copying to a file• MAIL-32, MAIL-48
copying to another folder• MAIL-32
creating a subdirectory for• MAIL-12
deleting Ii MAIL-39, MAIL-66
displaying• MAIL-35
editing• MAIL-44
moving between folders• MAIL-39
moving to a folder• MAIL-60
moving to folder• MAIL-50
organizing with folders• MAIL-9
printing• MAIL-63, MAIL-91
reading• MAIL-2, MAIL-30, MAIL-69
recovering• MAIL-39
searching• MAIL-75
selecting• MAIL-76
sending• MAIL-57, MAIL-79
MOVE command•MAIL-10, MAIL-60
See also FILE command

N
Networking• MAIL-6
NEXT command• MAIL-62
Node names•MAIL-6, MAIL-7, MAIL-15
/NOHEADER qualifier• MAIL-3

p
/PERSONAL NAME qualifier• MAIL-21
PRINT command• MAIL-63
Printing messages
default print form• MAIL-91
setting default queue• MAIL-97
Process
attaching to another• MAIL-28
Profile• MAIL-72
Protecting files• MAIL-12
PURGE command• MAIL-66

Index

Q
Queue
setting default• MAIL-97
showing default• MAIL-97
QUIT command• MAIL-68

R
READ command• MAIL-69
Reading
new messages• MAIL-2
old messages• MAIL-2
READ /NEW command• MAIL-15, MAIL-69
Receiving mail
over the network• MAIL-1
REMOVE command• MAIL-72
Removing records• MAIL-72
REPLY command• MAIL-73
See also ANSWER command
qualifiers• MAIL-19

s
SEARCH command•MAIL-3, MAIL-75
Searching for a string• MAIL-3
SELECT command •MAIL-11, MAIL-76
/SELF qualifier• MAIL-22
SEND command•MAIL-5, MAIL-79
See also MAIL command
qualifiers• MAIL-19
Sending files• MAIL-4, MAIL-6
Sending messages• MAIL-4, MAIL-5, MAIL-57
canceling• MAIL-5
over the network• MAIL-1, MAIL-6
to distribution lists• MAIL-6
using DECnet-VAX• MAIL-7
SET AUTO_PURGE command• MAIL-83
SET CC_PROMPT command • MAIL-84
SET COPY_SELF command• MAIL-86
SET EDITOR command• MAIL-85
SET FILE command• MAIL-87
SET FOLDER command• MAIL-88
SET FORM command• MAIL-91
SET FORWARD command• MAIL-92

SET MAIL_DIRECTORY command• MAIL-94
SET NOAUTO_PURGE command• MAIL-83
SET NOCC_PROMPT command• MAIL-84
SET NOCOPY_SELF command• MAIL-86
SET NOFORM command• MAIL-91
SET NOFORWARD command• MAIL-92
SET NOMAIL_DIRECTORY command• MAIL-94
SET NOPERSONAL_NAME command• MAIL-95
SET NOQUEUE command• MAIL-97
SET PERSONAL_NAME command• MAIL-95
SET QUEUE command• MAIL-97
SET WASTEBASKET_NAME command• MAIL-98
SHOW ALL command• MAIL-99
SHOW AUTO_PURGE command• MAIL-83
SHOW CC_PROMPT command• MAIL-84
SHOW COPY_SELF command•MAIL-86
SHOW DELETED command•MAIL-101
SHOW EDITOR command• MAIL-85
SHOW FILE command• MAIL-87
SHOW FOLDER command• MAIL-88
SHOW FORM command•MAIL-91
SHOW FORWARD command• MAIL-92
SHOW KEY command• MAIL-102
SHOW MAIL_DIRECTORY command• MAIL-94
SHOW NEW_MAIL_COUNT
command• MAIL-103
SHOW PERSONAL_NAME command• MAIL-95
SHOW QUEUE command• MAIL-97
SHOW WASTEBASKET_NAME
command• MAIL-98
SPAWN command•MAIL-28, MAIL-104
Status messages• MAIL-17
/SUBJECT qualifier• MAIL-4, MAIL-23
/SUBJEXT qualifier• MAIL-6
System management• MAIL-14

u
UN MARK command• MAIL-59
User profile• MAIL-14
User record• MAIL-72

v
VMSMAIL_PROFILE.DAT A file• MAIL-14

lndex-3

Index

w
Wastebasket
emptying• MAIL-39, MAIL-83
recovering messages from• MAIL-39

lndex-4

Reader's Comments

VMS Mail Utility Manual
AA-LA07 A-TE

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BUSINESS REPLY MAIL
FIRST CLASS PERMIT NO. 33 MAYNARD MASS.
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Corporate User Publications-Spit Brook
ZK01-3/J35 110 SPIT BROOK ROAD
NASHUA, NH 03062-9987

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