Commands Reference, Volume 4

repl Command

Purpose

Replies to a message.

Syntax

repl [ +Folder ] [ -draftfolder +Folder | -nodraftfolder ] [ Message ] [ -draftmessageMessage ] [ -annotate [ -noinplace | -inplace ] | -noannotate ] [ -cc Names... ] [ -nocc Names... ] [ -query | -noquery ] [ -fcc +Folder ] [ -form FormFile ] [ -editor Editor | -noedit ] [ -format | -noformat ] [ -filter File ] [ -width Number ] [ -whatnowproc Program | -nowhatnowproc ]

Description

The repl command starts an interface enabling you to compose a reply to a message. By default, the command drafts a reply to the current message in the current folder. If you do not specify the -draftfolder flag, or if the Draft-Folder: entry in the $HOME/.mh_profile file is undefined, the repl command searches your MH directory for a draft file. If you specify a folder, that folder becomes the current folder.

When you enter the repl command, the system places the To:, cc:, and In-Reply-To: fields in the draft and prompts you to enter the text of the reply. To exit the editor, press Ctrl-D. After exiting the editor, the repl command starts the MH whatnow command. You can see a list of available whatnow subcommands by pressing the Enter key at the What now? prompt. With these subcommands, you can re-edit, list, and send a reply, or end the processing of the repl command.

Note: A line of dashes or a blank line must be left between the header and the body of the message for the message to be identified when it is sent.

The repl command uses the definitions in the /etc/mh/replcomps file to format the reply message. You can create a replcomps file in your MH directory or use the -form flag to define an alternate reply format. To leave a copy of the original message in the reply message, use the -filter flag.

To annotate the original message with redistribution information, use the -annotate flag. This flag annotates the original message with the Resent: field and the current date and time. A message is annotated only if you send the reply before you exit repl command processing.

Flags

-annotate	Annotates the message being replied to with the time and date of the reply. You can use the -inplace flag to preserve links to an annotated message.
-cc Names	Specifies the users who will be listed in the `cc:` field of the reply. You can specify the following variables for Names: all, to, cc, and me. The default is -cc all.
-draftfolder +Folder	Places the draft message in the specified folder. If +Folder is not specified, then `Current-Folder` is assumed.
-draftmessage Message	Specifies the draft message. If you specify -draftfolder without the -draftmessage flag, the default message is new. If you specify this flag without the -draftfolder flag, the system creates the draft in the default file, UserMHdirectory/draft.
-editor Editor	Identifies the initial editor for composing the reply. If you do not specify the -editor flag, the comp command selects the default editor specified by the `Editor:` entry in your $HOME/.mh_profile file.
-fcc +Folder	Places a file copy of the reply in the specified folder. If you do not specify this flag, the repl command will not produce a file copy.
-filter File	Reformats the message being replied to and places the reformatted message in the body of the reply. You must specify a File variable with this flag. The -filter flag uses the format file acceptable to the mhl command.
+Folder	Identifies the folder that contains the message to reply to. If a folder is not specified, then `Current-Folder` is used.
-form FormFile	Specifies a reply format. The repl command treats each line in the specified format file as a format string.
-format	Removes duplicate addresses from the `To:`, `cc:`, and `Bcc:` fields and standardizes these fields using the columns specified by the -width flag. The -format flag indicates if Internet style is to be used, which serves as the default.
-help	Lists the command syntax, available switches (toggles), and version information. Note: For MH, the name of this flag must be fully spelled out.
-inplace	Forces annotation to be done in place in order to preserve links to the annotated message.
Message	Specifies a message. If you specify both a message to reply to and a message draft, you must use the -draftmessge flag. Use the following to define a message: Number Number of the message. cur or . (period) Current message. The default reply message. first First message in a folder. last Last message in a folder. new New message that is created. The default draft message is new. next Message following the current message. prev Message preceding the current message.
-noannotate	Prevents annotation. This flag is the default.
-nocc Names	Allows you to specify the users who will not be listed in the `cc:` field of the reply. You can specify the following for Names: all, to, cc, and me.
-nodraftfolder	Places the draft in the file UserMhDirectory/draft.
-noedit	Suppresses the initial edit.
-noformat	Suppresses both removal of duplicate addresses from the `To:`, `cc:`, and `Bcc:` fields, and standardization of these fields.
-noinplace	Prevents annotation in place. This flag is the default.
-noquery	Automatically builds the `To:` and `cc:` fields. This flag is the default.
-nowhatnowproc	Prevents interactive processing for the repl command. This flag prevents editing.
-query	Queries you for permission to include each address in the `To:` and `cc:` fields.
-whatnowproc Program	Starts the specified command string as the program to guide you through the reply tasks. The default is the whatnow program.
-width Number	Sets the width of the address fields. The default is 72 columns.

Profile Entries

The following entries are entered in the UserMhDirectory/.mh_profile file:

`Alternate-Mailboxes:`	Specifies the mailboxes.
`Current-Folder:`	Sets the default current folder.
`Draft-Folder:`	Sets the default folder for drafts.
`Editor:`	Sets the default editor.
`fileproc:`	Specifies the program used to refile messages.
`mhlproc:`	Specifies the program used to filter the message for which you are creating a reply.
`Msg-Protect:`	Sets the protection level for the new message files.
`Path:`	Specifies the user's MH directory.
`whatnowproc:`	Specifies the program used to prompt `What now?` questions.

Examples

To reply to the current message in the current folder, enter:
```
repl
```
The system responds with text similar to the following:
```
To: patrick@venus
cc: tom@thomas
Subject: Re: Meeting on Monday
In-reply-to: (Your message of Thu, 21 Jul 88 13:39:34 CST.)
             <8807211839.AA01868>
--------------
```
You can now enter your reply. When you finish entering the body of your reply, press the Ctrl-D key sequence to exit the editor. The system responds with the following:
```
What now?
```
Enter send to send the reply. If you want to see a list of subcommands, press the Enter key. In this example, you are sending a reply to the current message in the current folder.
To send a reply to message 4 in the inbox folder, enter:
repl +inbox 4
The system responds with a message similar to the following:
```
To: dawn@chaucer
cc: jay@venus
Subject: Re: Status Report
In-reply-to: (Your message of Thu, 21 Jul 88 13:39:34 CST.)
             <8807211839.AA01868>
--------------
```
You can now enter your reply. When you finish entering the body of your reply, press the Ctrl-D key sequence to exit the editor. The system responds with the following:
```
What now?
```
Enter send to send the reply. If you want to see a list of subcommands, press the Enter key.
To keep track of your reply to the current message in the current folder, use the -annotate flag to place a copy of the date and time in the message you are replying to, as follows:
repl -annotate
The system responds with a message similar to the following:
```
To: patrick@venus
cc: tom@thomas
Subject: Re: Meeting on Friday
In-reply-to: (Your message of Mon, 17 Apr 89 13:39:34 CST.)
             <8904171839.AA01868>
--------------
```
You can now enter your reply. When you finish entering the body of your reply, press the Ctrl-D key sequence to exit the editor. The system responds with the following:
```
What now?
```
Enter send to send the reply. If you quit the editor without sending the reply, the annotation does not occur.

Files

$HOME/.mh_profile	Specifies the user's MH profile.
/etc/mh/replcomps	Contains the MH default reply template.
UserMhDirectory/replcomps	Contains the user's default reply form.
/usr/bin/repl	Contains the repl command.
UserMhDirectory/draft	Contains the current message draft.

Related Information

The anno command, comp command, dist command, forw command, mhl command, send command, whatnow 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.