Commands Reference, Volume 3

mhmail Command

Purpose

Sends or receives mail.

Syntax

mhmail User ... [ -cc User ... ] [ -from User ... ] [ -subject "String" ] [ -body "String" ]

Description

The mhmail command composes, sends, and files messages. To file a message, enter the mhmail command without any flags. The default folder is $HOME/inbox.

If you specify one or more user addresses with the User parameter, the mhmail command accepts text from your terminal and composes a message. You can end the message text by pressing the Ctrl-D key sequence. The mhmail command sends a copy of the message to each specified address.

Flags

-body "String"	Sends a message with the specified string as the body. You must enclose the string in quotes. When you specify the -body flag, the mhmail command does not accept text from the terminal.
-cc User...	Sends a copy of the message to the specified users. The mhmail command puts the addresses in the `cc:` field.
-from User...	Places the specified user address in the `From:` field of the message.
-help	Lists the command syntax, available switches (toggles), and version information. Note: For MH, the name of this flag must be fully spelled out.
-subject "String"	Places the specified text string in the `Subject:` field of the message.

Examples

To receive new mail and file it into the default mail folder, $USER/Mail/inbox, enter:
```
mhmail
```
The system displays a message similar to the following:
```
Incorporating new mail into inbox...
65+  04/08 jim@athena.a   Meeting        <<The meeting will
66   04/08 jim@athena.a   Schedule       <<Schedule change
```
In this example, two messages are filed in the inbox file. The subject of the first message is Meeting, and the first line starts with the words The meeting will. The subject of the second message is Schedule, and the first line starts with the words Schedule change.
To send a message regarding a schedule change to user jamie on system venus, enter:
mhmail jamie@venus -subject "Schedule Change"
The system waits for you to enter the text of the message. After completing the last line of the text, press the Enter key and then the Ctrl-D key sequence to send the message.

Files

/var/spool/Mail/$USER	Defines the location of the mail drop.
/usr/bin/mhmail	Contains the mhmail command.

Related Information

The inc command, post command.

The mh_alias file format, mh_profile file format.

Mail Overview in AIX 5L Version 5.2 System User's Guide: Communications and Networks.