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

    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 DECTPU-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 DECTPU-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.