filter-rules(4)                     CLIX                     filter-rules(4)



  NAME

    filter-rules - Rules file used by filter command to sort mail

  DESCRIPTION

    The filter-rules file is used by the filter command and contains the rules
    against which the incoming mail is filtered.  The format for the rules
    contained in the file is as follows:

    rule ::= if (expression) then action

    The conditions on expression are as follows:

    expression ::= { not } condition expr2
    expr2 ::= NULL | and condition expr2
    condition ::= field relationship value | lines relop numvalue | always

    These further break down as follows:

    field ::= from | subject | to | lines
    relationship ::= = | !=
    relop ::= = | != | < | > | <= | >=
    value ::= any quoted string
    numvalue ::= any integer value

    The action can be any of the following:

    delete
    save foldername
    savecopy foldername
    execute command
    forward address
    leave

    The order of rules in the file is very important.  When a message arrives,
    it is filtered according to the first rule it matches.  Sometimes this
    method has an undesired effect, as a message which may fit one rule gets
    filtered before it matches another more appropriate rule.  Therefore,
    great care must be taken with the ordering of the rules.  (See the note
    after the explanation of the rules of the sample filter-rules file in the
    EXAMPLES section.)


  EXAMPLES

    This is a sample $HOME/.elm/filter-rules file for user Joe Smith.

    # $HOME/.elm/filter-rules
    #
    # Filter rules for the Elm Filter program.  Don't change



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  filter-rules(4)                     CLIX                     filter-rules(4)



    # without some serious thought.  (remember - order counts)
    #
    # (for Joe Smith)
    # rule 1
    if (from contains "!uucp") then delete
    # rule 2
    to "postmaster" ? save "/tmp/postmaster"
    # rule 3
    if (to "culture" and lines > 20) ? save "/usr/Mail/smith/culture"
    # rule 4
    subject = "net question" ? forward "network!help-machine"
    # rule 5
    if [ subject = "ABC" ] savecopy "/usr/Mail/smith/project"
    # rule 6
    subject = "display-to-console" ? execute "cat - > /dev/console"


    Each of the six filter rules is explained as follows:

    rule 1:   All messages from the network uucp are deleted.

    rule 2:   All mail addressed to postmaster is saved in a folder (that is,
              a file) called /tmp/postmaster.

    rule 3:   All mail addressed to culture with at least 20 lines is
              automatically appended to the /usr/Mail/smith/culture folder.

    rule 4:   All messages that contain the subject net question are forwarded
              to the user smith, at the address network!help-machine.

    rule 5:   All messages with a subject that contains the acronym ABC are
              saved in the /usr/Mail/smith/project folder and also copied into
              the incoming mailbox.

    rule 6:   Any message with the subject display-to-console is immediately
              written to the console.

    Remember that the order of the rules is important.  For example, if a
    message from uucp that had the subject net question arrives, the filter
    command matches rule 1 and deletes the message.  It is never forwarded to
    network!help-machine, according to rule 4.  It is for this reason that
    great care must be taken in the ordering of the rules.

  CAUTIONS

    Be sure to test the rules before installing the ruleset by entering the
    filter -r command.

  RELATED INFORMATION

    Commands:  elm(1), filter(1), sendmail(8)



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  filter-rules(4)                     CLIX                     filter-rules(4)



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