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AIX Version 4.3 Commands Reference, Volume 3

inc Command

Purpose

Files new mail in a folder.

Syntax

inc [ +Folder ] [ -noaudit | -audit File ] [ -changecur | -nochangecur ] [ -form FormFile | -format String ] [ -help] [ -file File ] [ -truncate | -notruncate ] [ -nosilent | -silent ] [ -width Number ]

Description

The inc command files incoming mail in a specified folder and outputs a list of the messages filed. A folder is a system directory. By default, the inc command removes the new messages from your mail drop and places them in the specified folder. To file new mail without deleting the mail drop, use the -notruncate flag.

If the specified folder does not exist, the inc command prompts you for permission to create it. The system creates the folder as a subdirectory of the user's Message Handler (MH) directory. The default folder is inbox.

Note: If you do not have a Path: entry specified in your .mh_profile file, the inc command creates the folder as a subdirectory of the current directory.

Filed messages are assigned consecutive message numbers starting with the next highest number in the folder. Each new message receives the protection code specified in the Msg-Protect: entry in your .mh_profile file. If the Msg-Protect: entry does not exist, a protection code of 644 is assigned. If the Unseen-Sequence: entry exists, new messages are added to each sequence specified by the entry.

Flags

-audit File Copies the current date to the specified file and appends the output of the inc command to the file.
-changecur Sets the first new message as the current message for the specified folder. This flag is the default.
-file File Files messages from the specified file instead of the user's maildrop.
+Folder Specifies the folder in which to place new messages. By default, the system creates a subdirectory called inbox in the user's MH directory.
-form FormFile Identifies a file that contains an alternate output format for the inc command.
-format String Specifies a string that defines an alternate output format for the inc command.
-help Lists the command syntax, available switches (toggles), and version information.
Note: For MH, the name of this flag must be fully spelled out.
-noaudit Suppresses recording of information about any new messages filed. This is the default.
-nochangecur Prevents alteration of the current message for the specified folder.
-nosilent Prompts the user for any necessary information. This flag is the default.
-notruncate Prevents clearing of the mailbox or file from which the inc command is taking new messages. If the -file flag is specified, the -notruncate flag is the default.
-silent Prevents prompting by the inc command for information. This flag is useful when running the inc command in the background.
-truncate Clears the mailbox or file from which the inc command is taking new messages. If the -file flag is not specified, the -truncate flag is the default.
-width Number Sets the number of columns in the command output. The default is the width of the display.

Profile Entries

The following entries are entered in the UserMhDirectory/.mh_profile file:

Alternate-Mailboxes: Specifies alternate mailboxes.
Folder-Protect: Sets the protection level for new folder directories.
Msg-Protect: Sets the protection level for new message files.
Path: Specifies the user's MH directory.
Unseen-Sequence: Specifies the sequences used to keep track of unseen messages.

Examples

  1. To incorporate new mail into the default mail folder, inbox, enter: 
    inc
    If the inbox folder exists, the system displays a message similar to the following: 
    Incorporating new mail into inbox...
65+        04/08    jim@athena.a         Meeting                                <<The meeting will
66         04/08    jim@athena.a         Schedule                               <<Schedule change
    In this example, two messages are filed in the inbox folder. The subject of the first message is Meeting, and the first line starts with the words The meeting will. The subject of the second message is Schedule, and the first line starts with the words Schedule change.
  2. To incorporate new mail into a new folder called testcases, enter: 
    inc    +testcases
    The system prompts you as follows: 
    Create folder "/home/mary/testcases"?
    If you wish to create the folder, enter: 
    yes
    A message similar to the following is displayed: 
    Incorporating new mail into testcases...
67+        04/08    jim@athena.a            Meeting                                <<We will begin
68         04/08    jim@athena.a            Schedule                               <<Schedule change

Files

$HOME/.mh_profile Customizes the MH user profile.
/etc/mh/mtstailor Tailors the MH environment to the local environment.
/var/spool/mail/$USER Specifies the location of the mail drop.
/usr/bin/inc Contains the inc command.

Related Information

The mhmail command, post command, scan command.

The mh_alias file format, mh_profile file format.

Mail Overview in AIX Version 4.3 System Management Guide: Communications and Networks.

Peek, Jerry. MH and xmh: E-mail for Users and Programmers. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly & Associates, 1992.

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