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 that 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, and enclose the subject string in quotation marks.
You can include a file specification with the MAIL command. If
you specify a file name with the MAIL command, the text in that
file is sent to the specified users. If you do not specify a file
name, 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 type a line and press 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. You can also
enter CTRL/Y to cancel sending a mail message, however note that
CTRL/Y will also quit your Mail process and return you to the DCL
prompt.
Format
MAIL [file-spec]
1 – Parameter
file-spec
Indicates the file name and file type of the file to be sent.
2 – Qualifiers
2.1 /CC_PROMPT
/CC_PROMPT
/NOCC_PROMPT
Enables the prompt for the CC: line in the mail header. At the
CC: prompt, enter the names of other users to whom you want to
send a copy of the mail message.
The /NOCC_PROMPT qualifier disables the CC: prompt. The /CC_
PROMPT and /NOCC_PROMPT qualifiers override the SET CC_PROMPT and
SET NOCC_PROMPT commands.
2.2 /EDIT
/EDIT
/NOEDIT
Invokes a text editor to edit the message you are sending. Unless
you select a different editor, the DECTPU-based EVE editor
is invoked. The /NOEDIT qualifier overrides the /EDIT default
qualifier if you entered the DCL command MAIL/EDIT.
You can use the /EDIT qualifier with the /LAST qualifier to edit
the message before sending it.
2.3 /LAST
Specifies that the last message you sent will be used as text
for the message you are currently sending. You can use the /LAST
qualifier with the /EDIT qualifier to edit the message before
sending it.
2.4 /PERSONAL_NAME
/PERSONAL_NAME=name
/NOPERSONAL_NAME
Specifies a personal name to be used when answering a message.
A personal name is a field of text that is appended 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 /PERSONAL NAME qualifier 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.
2.5 /SELF
/SELF
/NOSELF
Determines whether Mail sends a copy of the message you are
sending to you. The default qualifier is /NOSELF unless you have
used the SET COPY_SELF command to specify that copies be sent to
you automatically. The /NOSELF qualifier overrides the SET COPY_
SELF SEND command.
2.6 /SIGNATURE_FILE
/SIGNATURE_FILE[=file-name]
/NOSIGNATURE_FILE
Specifies a file to be appended to the end of a mail message.
The signature file contains text and has a default file type of
.SIG. An example of a signature file is a text file formatted
as business card, containing the user's company name, address,
telephone, and Internet address.
Specify the /SIGNATURE_FILE qualifier when you want to override
the default established by the SET SIGNATURE_FILE command (if you
want to send a signature file that is different from that default
specification). If there is no default setting, specify the
/SIGNATURE_FILE qualifier to interactively include a signature
file with a particular mail message.
To determine if the SET SIGNATURE_FILE command is in effect, use
the SHOW SIGNATURE_FILE or SHOW ALL command.
When you use the /SIGNATURE_FILE qualifier, note the following:
o When you create a mail message that includes a signature
file, that message requires more temporary disk space than
a conventional message because temporary files are created
during the operation. After the message is sent, those
temporary files are deleted.
o If you do not specify a directory, the Mail utility looks for
the signature file in your mail directory.
o If you do not specify a file, the Mail utility uses the file
specification in your user profile. If there is no default
signature file in the profile, Mail will send the message
without one.
o If a specified signature file does not exist, the system
displays an error message.
Specify the /NOSIGNATURE_FILE qualifier when you do not want
to include a signature file with a particular mail message.
Specifying this qualifier overrides the current setting,
including any specifications in your user profile.
2.7 /SUBJECT
/SUBJECT="subject-text"
Prompts for the subject of the mail message to be sent. Use
quotation marks (" ") around the subject heading to include more
than one word, to print in lowercase letters, or to include any
spaces or nonalphanumeric characters.
3 – Examples
1.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.
2.MAIL> MAIL REPORTS.TXT
To: TERA::LINDEN
Subj: Monthly Petty Cash Reports
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 file
named REPORTS.TXT to a user named Linden on node TERA.