write(1)                            CLIX                            write(1)



  NAME

    write - Sends a real-time message to another user

  SYNOPSIS

    write user [line]

  DESCRIPTION

    The write command copies lines from your terminal to that of another user,
    allowing you to send a real-time message to the other user.  When first
    called, the command sends the message,

    Message from yourname (tt???) [ date ] ...

    to the person with whom you want to communicate.  When write has
    successfully completed the connection, it also sends two bells to your own
    terminal to indicate that what you are typing is being sent.

    The recipient of the message should write back at this point.
    Communication continues until an end-of-file is read from the terminal, an
    interrupt is sent, or the recipient has executed mesg n.  At that point
    write writes EOT on the other terminal and exits.

    If you want to write to a user who is logged in more than once, the line
    argument can be used to indicate which line or terminal to send to (for
    example, tty00); otherwise, the first writable instance of the user found
    in /etc/utmp is assumed and the following message posted:

    user is logged on more than one place.
    You are connected to "terminal".
    Other locations are:
    terminal

    Permission to write may be denied or granted by use of the mesg command.
    Writing to others is normally allowed by default.  Certain commands, such
    as pr, disallow messages in order to prevent interference with the message
    output.  However, if the user has superuser permissions, messages can be
    forced onto a write-inhibited terminal.

    If an exclamation point (!) is found at the beginning of a line, write
    calls the shell to execute the rest of the line as a command.

    The following protocol is suggested for using write:

    ⊕  When you first use write to communicate with another user, wait for
       them to write back before starting to send.

    ⊕  Each person should send a message with a distinctive signal (in other
       words, o for over) so that the other person knows when to reply.



  2/94 - Intergraph Corporation                                              1

  write(1)                            CLIX                            write(1)



    ⊕  The signal oo (for over and out) is suggested when conversation is to
       be terminated.

  EXAMPLES

    The following example shows how to start a write session with another
    user:

    write dan<Return>
    (a message)


  FILES

    /etc/utmp
           To find user.

    /bin/sh
           To execute !.

  SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS

    If your system is running CLIX-TS, this command will operate differently.
    Refer to the CLIX-TS Secure Facilities User's Guide for more information.

  DIAGNOSTICS

    user is not logged on.
           This message is displayed if the person to whom you are trying to
           write is not logged on.

    Permission denied.
           This message is displayed if the person to whom you are trying to
           write denies permission (with mesg).

    Warning: You have your terminal set to "mesg -n".  No
    reply possible.
           This message is displayed if your terminal is set to mesg n and the
           recipient cannot respond to you.

    Can no longer write to terminal
           This message is displayed if the recipient has denied permission
           (mesg n) after you have started writing.

  EXIT VALUES

    The write command exits with a value of 1 if an error occurs.

  RELATED INFORMATION

    Commands: mail(1), mesg(1), pr(1), sh(1), who(1)



  2                                              Intergraph Corporation - 2/94