COMP(%manext1%)

NAME
comp - compose a message

SYNOPSIS
comp [+folder] [msg] [-draftfolder +folder]
[-draftmessage msg] [-nodraftfolder] [-editor editor]
[-noedit] [-file file] [-form formfile] [-use] [-nouse] [-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 the file named “components” exists in the user's nmh directory, it will be used instead of this form. The file specified by `-form formfile' will be used if given. 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 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”. 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 Advanced Features section of the nmh manual for more information. The `-file file' switch says to use the named file as the message draft. 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.) ^%etcdir%/components~^The message skeleton ^or <mh-dir>/components~^Rather than the standard skeleton ^$HOME/.mh_profile~^The user profile ^<mh-dir>/draft~^The draft file ^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 dist(1), forw(1), repl(1), send(1), whatnow(1), mh-profile(5) `+folder' defaults to the current folder `msg' defaults to the current message `-nodraftfolder' `-nouse' None 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.