NAME
comp - compose a message
SYNOPSIS
comp [+folder] [msgs] [-form formfile] [-use | -nouse] [-file file]
[-draftfolder +folder] [-draftmessage msg] [-nodraftfolder]
[-editor editor] [-noedit] [-whatnowproc program] [-nowhatnowproc]
[-version] [-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:
Fcc: +outbox
Subject:
--------
If a file named “components” exists in the user’s nmh directory, it
will be used instead of this form. You may specify an alternate forms
file with the switch -form formfile.
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 message 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”.
The -file file switch says to use the named file as the message draft.
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 nmh
draft folder facility. This is an advanced (and highly useful)
feature. Consult the mh-draft(5) man page for more information.
The -editor editor switch indicates the editor to use for the initial
edit. 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
/etc/nmh/components The standard 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 nmh 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), mh-profile(5)
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.