sortm Command

Commands Reference, Volume 5

sortm Command

Purpose

Sorts messages.

Syntax

sortm [ +Folder ] [ Messages ] [ -datefield Field ] [ -noverbose | -verbose ]

Description

The sortm command sorts messages according to their Date: field and renumbers them consecutively beginning with number one. Messages that are in the folder, but not specified to be sorted, are placed after the sorted messages. The sortm command displays a message if it cannot parse a date field.

To specify a field other than the Date: field, specify the -datefield flag. If you specify a folder, it becomes the current folder. The current message remains the current message for the specified folder, even if it moves during the sort.

Flags

-datefield Field

Specifies the header field to be used in the sort. The Date: field is the default.

+Folder

Specifies the folder with messages to be sorted. The default is the current folder.

-help

Lists the command syntax, available switches (toggles), and version information.

Note: For Message Handler (MH), the name of this flag must be fully spelled out.

Messages

Specifies the messages to be sorted. Use the following references to specify messages:

Number

Number of the message.

Sequence

A group of messages specified by the user. Recognized values are:

all	All messages in a folder. This is the default.
cur or . (period)	Current message.
first	First message in a folder.
last	Last message in a folder.
next	Message following the current message.
prev	Message preceding the current message.

-noverbose

Prevents display of information during the sort. This flag is the default.

-verbose

Displays information during the sort. This information allows you to monitor the steps involved.

Profile Entries

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

`Current-Folder:`	Sets the default current folder.
`Path:`	Specifies the UserMhDirectory.

Examples

To sort all the messages in the current folder according to the date, enter:
```
sortm
```
To sort messages 5 through 10 in the easter folder according to the date, enter:
```
sortm +easter 5-10
```

Files

$HOME/.mh_profile	Contains the MH user profile.
/usr/bin/sortm	Contains the sortm command.

Related Information

The folder command.

The .mh_alias file format, .mh_profile file format.

Mail Overview in AIX Version 4.3 System User's Guide: Communications and Networks.

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