Library /sys$common/syshlp/mailhelp.hlb EDIT  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

    Invokes an editor and enables you to edit a file before you send
    it. Unless you have selected a different editor, the DECTPU-based
    EVE editor is invoked.

    Format

      EDIT  [file-spec]

1 - Parameter

 file-spec

    The name of the file you want to edit.

2 - Qualifiers

 2.1 - /COMMAND

       /COMMAND=ini-file-spec

    When you select EDT as your text editor, the /COMMAND qualifier
    indicates the name of an EDT startup command file (EDTINI) for
    ini-file specification. If you do not specify a startup command
    file for ini-file specification, the default EDTINI.EDT file
    set up for the DCL command EDIT/EDT takes effect. This qualifier
    cannot be specified if you are using an editor other than EDT.

 2.2 - /CREATE

    The /CREATE qualifier is used to create a file. Mail prompts you
    for a file name when you do not specify one on the EDIT command
    line.

 2.3 - /JOURNAL

       /JOURNAL=jou-file-spec

    When you select EDT as your text editor, the /JOURNAL qualifier
    specifies jou-file-spec as the name of a journal file. This
    qualifier cannot be specified if you are using an editor other
    than EDT.

 2.4 - /OUTPUT

       /OUTPUT=out-file-spec

    Specifies out-file-spec as the name of the output file. Use the
    /OUTPUT qualifier when you want to save the current file as a new
    file that has a different name.

 2.5 - /READ

    The /READ qualifier indicates that neither a journal file nor an
    output file will be created. If you do not specify an existing
    file and you are using the EVE editor, Mail creates a new file.
    If you do not specify an existing file with the /READ qualifier
    and you are using the EDT editor, Mail displays "Input file does
    not exist" and returns you to the MAIL> prompt. When you use
    the /READ qualifier, enter the QUIT command to end the editing
    session. If you enter the EXIT command, you are prompted for a
    file specification.

 2.6 - /RECOVER

    When you select EDT as your text editor, the /RECOVER qualifier
    indicates that you want to recover a previous editing session
    that was prematurely terminated. The /RECOVER qualifier will work
    only if there is an existing .JOU file. This qualifier cannot be
    specified if you are using an editor other than EDT.

3 - Examples

    1.MAIL> SET EDITOR EDT
      MAIL> EDIT/COMMAND=EDTFUN.EDT FILENAME.DAT
          1           This is the first line of text in FILENAME.DAT.
      [EOB]
      *
         .
         .
         .
      * EXIT
      DISK$MEGAWORK:[BURTON]FILENAME.DAT;1 13 lines
      MAIL>

      This example shows how to invoke the EDT editor and execute
      the commands in an EDT startup command file named EDTFUN.EDT to
      edit an already existing file named FILENAME.DAT before sending
      it.

    2.MAIL> EDIT/READ
      _File: EXISTS.TXT
         .
         .
         .
 <Do>

      Buffer     MAIN                               |Insert  |  Forward
      Command: QUIT <Return>

      This example shows how to use the /READ qualifier with the EDIT
      command and how to end the EVE editing session with the QUIT
      command.