MAIL MAIL — VMS 5.0
Sends a message to one or more users. The MAIL command works like the
SEND command.
MAIL prompts you first for the name of the user(s) to receive the
message. You reply with the user name(s) or with the file name of a
distribution list file(s), in the following format:
[[nodename::]username,...] [,] [@listname[,...]]
If you have entered the SET CC_PROMPT command or used the /CC_PROMPT
qualifier, you can then specify names of users to receive carbon
copies of the message at the CC: prompt.
Next, MAIL prompts you for the subject of the mail. To avoid the
"Subj:" prompt, specify the /SUBJECT qualifier with the MAIL
command.
You can include a file specification with the MAIL command. If you
specify a file with the MAIL command, the text in that file is sent
to the specified user(s). If you do not specify a file, 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 have typed a line and pressed RETURN, there is no way
to edit it. If you decide not to send a 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. CTRL/Z exits you
from MAIL.
Format:
MAIL [file-spec]
Additional information available:
Parameters
file-spec Indicates the name of the file to be sent.
Qualifiers
Additional information available:
/CC_PROMPT/EDIT/LAST/PERSONAL_NAME/SELF
/SUBJECT
/CC_PROMPT
/[NO]CC_PROMPT Prompts for the carbon copy (CC:) recipients. Overrides the SET CC_PROMPT command for this message only.
/EDIT
/[NO]EDIT Determines whether or not the default editor is invoked to edit the message you are sending. The /NOEDIT qualifier overrides the MAIL/EDIT default if you entered the DCL command MAIL/EDIT. The /LAST qualifier can be used in conjunction with the /EDIT qualifier. This allows you to bring the last message you sent into the editor to modify and mail again.
/LAST
/LAST Specifies that the last message you sent be used as the text for the message you are currently sending. The /EDIT qualifier can be used in conjunction with the /LAST qualifier. This allows you to bring the last message you sent into the editor to modify and mail again.
/PERSONAL_NAME
/[NO]PERSONAL_NAME=name Specifies a personal name to be used when sending a message. 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 blank personal name field.
/SELF
/[NO]SELF Determines whether or not MAIL sends a copy of the message you are sending back to yourself. The /[NO]SELF qualifier overrides the SET COPY_SELF MAIL command for this message.
/SUBJECT
/SUBJECT="subject-text" Specifies the subject of the mail message to be sent. If you use this qualifier, MAIL does not issue a SUBJ: prompt for this message.
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.