COMP(1) [mh.6] 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 mes-
sage 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 mes-
sage 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 dis-
play the draft; use will use the draft for further compo-
sition; and refile +folder will file the draft in the
given folder, and give you a new draft with the appropri-
ate 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 infor-
mation.
MH April 22, 1986 1
COMP(1) [mh.6] COMP(1)
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 occur-
ring.)
FILES
/usr/contrib/mh/lib/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 what-
now, 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.
MH April 22, 1986 2