FMT(1,C)                    AIX Commands Reference                     FMT(1,C)



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fmt



PURPOSE

Formats mail messages prior to sending.

SYNTAX


/usr/bin/fmt -- file --|


DESCRIPTION

The fmt command invokes a simple text formatter that reads the concatenation of
input files (or standard input if no files are specified).  It then produces,
on standard output, a version of the input with lines as close to 72 characters
long as possible.  The spacing at the beginning of the input lines is preserved
in the output, as are blank lines and interword spacing.

The fmt command is used generally to format mail messages prior to sending them
through the mail facility.  It may also be useful, however, for other simple
formatting tasks.  For example, within visual mode of a text editing program
such as vi, the command "!}fmt" reformats a paragraph so that all lines are
approximately 72 characters long.

Note:  The fmt command is a fast, simple formatting program.  Standard text
       editing programs are more appropriate than the fmt command for complex
       formatting operations.

RELATED INFORMATION

See the following commands:  "mail, Mail" and "nroff, troff."



















Processed November 8, 1990         FMT(1,C)                                   1