SORTM(1) RISC/os Reference Manual SORTM(1)
NAME
sortm - sort messages
SYNOPSIS
sortm [+folder] [msgs] [-datefield field] [-verbose]
[-noverbose] [-help]
DESCRIPTION
Sortm sorts the specified messages in the named folder
according to the chronological order of the "Date:" field of
each message. Messages which are in the folder, but not
specified by `msgs', are moved to the end of the folder. If
a message does not exist (the folder has a gap), sortm may
fill the gap if convenient.
The `-verbose' switch directs sortm to tell the user the
general actions that it is taking to place the folder in
sorted order.
The `-datefield field' switch tells sortm the name of the
field to use when making the date comparison. If the user
has a special field in each message, such as "BB-Posted:" or
"Delivery-Date:", then the `-datefield' switch can be used
to direct sortm which field to examine.
FILES
$HOME/.mh_profile The user profile
PROFILE COMPONENTS
Path: To determine the user's MH directory
Current-Folder: To find the default current folder
SEE ALSO
folder (1)
DEFAULTS
`+folder' defaults to the current folder
`msgs' defaults to all
`-datefield date'
`-noverbose'
CONTEXT
If a folder is given, it will become the current folder. If
the current message is moved, sortm will preserve its status
as current.
HISTORY
Timezones used to be ignored when comparing dates: they
aren't any more.
BUGS
If sortm encounters a message without a date-field, or if
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SORTM(1) RISC/os Reference Manual SORTM(1)
the message has a date-field that sortm cannot parse, then
sortm attempts to keep the message in the same relative
position. This does not always work. For instance, if the
first message encountered lacks a date which can be parsed,
then it will usually be placed at the end of the messages
being sorted.
When sortm complains about a message which it can't tem-
porarlly order, it complains about the message number prior
to sorting. It should indicate what the message number will
be after sorting.
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