The REPLY command is synonymous with the ANSWER command. It sends
a message to the sender of the message you are currently reading
or to the sender of the message read last. If you do not specify
the name of a file to be sent as your reply, Mail prompts you for
the text of your reply.
Note that you must be reading a message in order to reply to it.
If you change your mind about replying to a message after
entering the REPLY command, press Ctrl/C to abort the message
and return to the MAIL> prompt.
Format
REPLY [file-spec]
1 – Parameter
file-spec
Indicates the name of the file to be sent as a reply.
2 – Qualifiers
2.1 /CC_PROMPT
/CC_PROMPT
/NOCC_PROMPT
Enables the prompt for the CC: line in the mail header. At the
CC: prompt, enter the names of other users to whom you want to
send a copy of the mail message.
The /NOCC_PROMPT qualifier disables the CC: prompt. The /CC_
PROMPT and /NOCC_PROMPT qualifiers override the SET CC_PROMPT and
SET NOCC_PROMPT commands.
2.2 /EDIT
/EDIT
/NOEDIT
Invokes a text editor to edit the reply you are sending. Unless
you have selected a different editor, the TPU-based EVE editor
is invoked. When you exit from the editor, the edited message is
sent. To cancel sending a message, enter the appropriate command
to quit from your selected editor. If you enter the DCL command
MAIL/EDIT=(REPLY) and then decide that you do not want to invoke
the editor for your response, enter the command REPLY/NOEDIT.
2.3 /EXTRACT
Invokes an editor to enable you to edit the current message to
which you are replying. Unless you have selected a different
editor, the TPU-based EVE editor is invoked.
2.4 /LAST
Specifies that the last message you sent will be used as text for
the reply to the current message. You can use the /LAST qualifier
with the /EDIT qualifier to edit the message before sending it.
2.5 /PERSONAL_NAME
/PERSONAL_NAME=name
/NOPERSONAL_NAME
Specifies a personal name to be used when answering a message.
A personal name is a field of text that is appended to the end
of the From: field of mail messages you send. You can fill this
field with your full name or any other information.
The /PERSONAL NAME qualifier overrides the default personal name
specified with the SET PERSONAL_NAME command for this message
only. The /NOPERSONAL_NAME qualifier sends a message with a null
personal name field.
2.6 /SELF
/SELF
/NOSELF
Determines whether Mail sends a copy of the response to you. The
default qualifier is /NOSELF unless you have used the SET COPY_
SELF command to specify that copies be sent to you automatically.
The /NOSELF qualifier overrides the SET COPY_SELF SEND command.
2.7 /SIGNATURE_FILE
/SIGNATURE_FILE[=file-name]
/NOSIGNATURE_FILE
Specifies a file to be appended to the end of a mail message.
The signature file contains text and has a default file type of
.SIG. An example of a signature file is a text file formatted
as business card, containing the user's company name, address,
telephone, and Internet address.
Specify the /SIGNATURE_FILE qualifier when you want to override
the default established by the SET SIGNATURE_FILE command (if you
want to send a signature file that is different from that default
specification). If there is no default setting, specify the
/SIGNATURE_FILE qualifier to interactively include a signature
file with a particular mail message.
To determine if the SET SIGNATURE_FILE command is in effect, use
the SHOW SIGNATURE_FILE or SHOW ALL command.
When you use the /SIGNATURE_FILE qualifier, note the following:
o When you create a mail message that includes a signature
file, that message requires more temporary disk space than
a conventional message because temporary files are created
during the operation. After the message is sent, those
temporary files are deleted.
o If you do not specify a directory, the Mail utility looks for
the signature file in your mail directory.
o If you do not specify a file, the Mail utility uses the file
specification in your user profile. If there is no default
signature file in the profile, Mail will send the message
without one.
o If a specified signature file does not exist, the system
displays an error message.
Specify the /NOSIGNATURE_FILE qualifier when you do not want
to include a signature file with a particular mail message.
Specifying this qualifier overrides the current setting,
including any specifications in your user profile.
2.8 /SUBJECT
/SUBJECT="subject-text"
Enables you to specify a different subject when replying to a
message. Use quotation marks (" ") around the subject heading to
include more than one word, to print in lowercase letters, or to
include any spaces or nonalphanumeric characters.
3 – Examples
1.MAIL> REPLY/EXTRACT
To: FLAXEN::STARCK
Subj: RE: Verbosity
This text was mailed to a user named STARCK.
[End of File]
.
.
.
Command: EXIT
DISK$:[STARCK]MAIL.TMP;1 17 lines
MAIL>
This example shows how to use the /EXTRACT qualifier to edit
your response before sending it to a user named STARCK on node
FLAXEN.
2.MAIL> REPLY/SELF
To: FLAME::CORSTAN, HOWE
Subj: RE: Ecology
Enter your message below. Press Ctrl/Z when complete, Ctrl/C to quit:
.
.
.
<Ctrl/Z>
New mail on node MARBLE from HOWE
This example shows how a user named HOWE on node MARBLE replies
to a user named CORSTAN on node FLAME. The /SELF qualifier
enables Mail to return a copy of the reply back to HOWE.
3.MAIL> READ
From: ADAMS
To: JEFFERSON
Subject: Meeting in Washington
Don't forget the meeting today.
.
.
.
MAIL> REPLY/SUBJECT="What time?"
To: ADAMS
Subject: What time?
Enter your message below. Press Ctrl/Z when complete, Ctrl/C to quit:
What time was that meeting?
.
.
.
This example shows how to specify a different subject in
response to a message. User JEFFERSON receives a message from
user ADAMS with the subject Meeting in Washington. In response,
user ADAMS wants to change the subject line to What time? The
RE: prompt does not appear on the subject line.