NAME

file − file message(s) in (an)other folder(s)

SYNOPSIS

file [ −src +folder ] [ msgs ] [ −link ] [ −preserve ] +folder ...  [ −nolink] [ −nopreserve ] [ −file file ] [ −nofile ] [ −help ]

DESCRIPTION

File moves (mv(1)) or links (ln(1)) messages from a source folder into one or more destination folders.  If you think of a message as a sheet of paper, this operation is not unlike filing the sheet of paper (or copies) in file cabinet folders.  When a message is filed, it is linked into the destination folder(s) if possible, and is copied otherwise.  As long as the destination folders are all on the same file system, multiple filing causes little storage overhead.  This facility provides a good way to cross-file or multiply-index messages.  For example, if a message is received from Jones about the ARPA Map Project, the command

      file cur +jones +Map
 

would allow the message to be found in either of the two folders ‘jones’ or ‘Map’. 

The option ‘−file file’ directs file to use the specified file as the source message to be filed, rather than a message from a folder. 

If a destination folder doesn’t exist, file will ask if you want to create one.  A negative response will abort the file operation. 

‘−link’ preserves the source folder copy of the message (i.e., it does a ln(1) rather than a mv(1)), whereas, ‘−nolink’ deletes the “filed” messages from the source folder.  Normally, when a message is filed, it is assigned the next highest number available in each of the destination folders.  Use of the ‘−preserve’ switch will override this message “renaming”, but name conflicts may occur, so use this switch cautiously.  (See pick for more details on message numbering.) 

If ‘−link’ is not specified (or ‘−nolink’ is specified), the filed messages will be removed ( unlink(2)) from the source folder.

If ‘−src +folder’ is given, it will become the current folder for future MH commands.  If neither ‘−link’ nor ‘all’ are specified, the current message in the source folder will be set to the last message specified; otherwise, the current message won’t be changed. 

FILES

$HOME/mh_profileThe user profile

PROFILE COMPONENTS

Path:To determine the user’s MH directory
Current-Folder:To find the default current folder
Folder−Protect:To set mode when creating a new folder

DEFAULTS

‘−src +folder’ defaults to the current folder
‘msgs’ defaults to cur
‘−nolink’
‘−nopreserve’
‘−nofile’

CONTEXT

If ‘−src +folder’ is given, it will become the current folder for future MH commands.  If neither ‘−link’ nor ‘all’ are specified, the current message in the source folder will be set to the last message specified; otherwise, the current message won’t be changed. 

4th Berkeley Distribution  —  3 August 1983