COMP(1)                        BSD                        COMP(1)



NAME
     comp - compose a message

SYNOPSIS
     comp [+folder] [msg] [-draftfolder +folder]
          [-draftmessage msg] [-nodraftfolder] [-editor editor]
          [-noedit] [-file file] [-form formfile] [-use] [-nouse]
          [-whatnowproc program] [-nowhatnowproc] [-help]

DESCRIPTION
     Comp is used to create a new message to be mailed.  It
     copies a message form to the draft being composed and then
     invokes an editor on the draft (unless `-noedit' is given,
     in which case the initial edit is suppressed).

     The default message form contains the following elements:

          To:
          cc:
          Subject:
          --------

     If the file named "components" exists in the user's MH
     directory, it will be used instead of this form.  The file
     specified by `-form formfile' will be used if given.  You
     may also start comp using the contents of an existing
     message as the form.  If you supply either a `+folder' or
     `msg' argument, that message will be used as the form.  You
     may not supply both a `-form formfile' and a `+folder' or
     `msg' argument.  The 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 properly when it is sent (see
     send (1)).  The switch `-use' directs comp to continue
     editing an already started message.  That is, if a comp (or
     dist, repl, or forw ) is terminated without sending the
     draft, the draft can be edited again via "comp -use".

     If the draft already exists, comp will ask you as to the
     disposition of the draft.  A reply of quit will abort comp,
     leaving the draft intact; replace will replace the existing
     draft with the appropriate form; list will display the
     draft; use will use the draft for further composition; and
     refile +folder will file the draft in the given folder, and
     give you a new draft with the appropriate form.  (The
     `+folder' argument to refile is required.)

     The `-draftfolder +folder' and `-draftmessage msg' switches
     invoke the MH draft folder facility.  This is an advanced
     (and highly useful) feature.  Consult the Advanced Features
     section of the MH manual for more information.

     The `-file file' switch says to use the named file as the
     message draft.

     Upon exiting from the editor, comp will invoke the whatnow
     program.  See whatnow (1) for a discussion of available
     options.  The invocation of this program can be inhibited by
     using the `-nowhatnowproc' switch.  (In truth of fact, it is
     the whatnow program which starts the initial edit.  Hence,
     `-nowhatnowproc' will prevent any edit from occurring.)

FILES
     /usr/new/lib/mh/components        The message skeleton
     or <mh-dir>/components            Rather than the standard skeleton
     $HOME/.mh_profile                 The user profile
     <mh-dir>/draft                    The draft file

PROFILE COMPONENTS
     Path:                To determine the user's MH directory
     Draft-Folder:        To find the default draft-folder
     Editor:              To override the default editor
     Msg-Protect:         To set mode when creating a new message (draft)
     fileproc:            Program to refile the message
     whatnowproc:         Program to ask the "What now?" questions

SEE ALSO
     dist(1), forw(1), repl(1), send(1), whatnow(1)

DEFAULTS
     `+folder' defaults to the current folder
     `msg' defaults to the current message
     `-nodraftfolder'
     `-nouse'

CONTEXT
     None

BUGS
     If whatnowproc is whatnow, then comp uses a built-in
     whatnow, it does not actually run the whatnow program.
     Hence, if you define your own whatnowproc, don't call it
     whatnow since comp won't run it.