comp

COMP(1)                                                                COMP(1)

NAME

       comp - compose a message

SYNOPSIS

       comp [+folder] [msg]
            [-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:


       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 pro-
       gram.  See whatnow (1) for a  discussion  of  available  options.   The
       invocation  of  this program can be inhibited by using the `-nowhatnow-
       proc' 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.



[nmh-1.0.4]                         MH.6.8                             COMP(1)