Linux in a Nutshell, Fourth Edition

Name

formail

Synopsis

                  formail [options]

Filter standard input into mailbox format. Useful for splitting mail digests or passing the contents of a mail file to another program such as a spam filter for additional processing. If no sender is apparent, provide the sender foo@bar. By default, escape bogus From lines with >.

Options

+ skip

Do not split first skip messages.

- total

Stop after splitting total messages.

-a headerfield

Append headerfield to header, unless it already exists. If headerfield is Message-ID or Resent-Message-ID with no contents, generate a unique message ID.

-b

Do not escape bogus From lines.

-c

When header fields are more than one line long, concatenate the lines.

-d

Do not assume that input must be in strict mailbox format. This option disables recognition of the Content-Length field so you can split digests or use nonstandard mailbox formats

-e

Allow messages to begin one immediately after the other; do not require empty space between them.

-f

Do not edit non-mailbox-format lines. By default, formail prepends From to such lines.

-i headerfield

Append headerfield whether or not it already exists. Rename each existing headerfield to Old- headerfield, unless it is empty.

-k

For use only with -r. Keep the body as well as the fields specified by -r.

-m minfields

Require at least minfields before recognizing the beginning of a new message. Default is 2.

-n

Allow simultaneous formail processes to run.

-p prefix

Escape lines with prefix instead of >.

-q

Do not display ...