Provided by: nmh_1.6-8build1_amd64 
NAME
comp - compose a message
SYNOPSIS
comp [+folder] [msg] [-form formfile] [-use | -nouse] [-file file] [-draftfolder +folder] [-draftmessage
msg] [-nodraftfolder] [-editor editor] [-noedit] [-width columns] [-from address] [-to address] [-cc
address] [-fcc +folder] [-subject text] [-whatnowproc program] [-nowhatnowproc] [-build] [-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 template “components” will direct comp to construct the message draft as follows:
From: {from switch} or <Local-Mailbox> or <username@hostname>
To: {to switch} or blank
cc: {cc switch} or blank
Fcc: {fcc switch} or +outbox
Subject: {subject switch} or blank
--------
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.
Forms that are selected via the -form switch are processed via the nmh template system; see mh-format(5)
for details. Drafts constructed from another message or with the -use or -file switchs will NOT be
processed with mh-format(5).
In addition to the standard mh-format(5) escapes, the following component escapes are either new or have
an alternate meaning:
Escape Returns Description
fcc string Any folders specified with `-fcc folder'
from string Any addresses specified with `-from address'
to string Any addresses specified with `-to address'
cc string Any addresses specified with `-cc address'
subject string Any text specified with `-subject text'
By default the “To:” and “cc:” fields are empty. You may add addresses to these fields with the -to
address and -cc address switches. You may give these switches multiple times to add multiple addresses.
By default the “From:” field has either the value of the Local-Mailbox profile entry or a system default
email address. This default can be overridden by using the -from address switch. The default mailbox in
the “Fcc:” field is +outbox. This can be overridden by the -fcc switch.
Any text you give to the -subject switch will be placed in the “Subject:” field in the 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.)
The -build switch is intended to be used by the Emacs mh-e interface to nmh. It implies -nowhatnowproc.
It causes a file <mh-dir>/draft to be created, containing the draft message that would normally be
presented to the user for editing. No mail is actually sent.
FILES
/etc/nmh/components The standard message skeleton.
<mh-dir>/components An alternative to the standard skeleton.
$HOME/.mh_profile The user's profile.
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 The current folder.
msg 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.