BSD mail (traditional mail user agent) — forward a message to another user list In the classic BSD/Unix <code>mail</code> program's internal command set, which command forwards the current message to the specified user-list?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: m user-list

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Before modern graphical mail clients, Unix systems commonly used terminal-based mail user agents like mail or mailx. These tools have internal commands for replying, forwarding, deleting, and editing messages. Understanding these commands remains useful for server administration and scripting.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The environment is the traditional BSD mail (or a compatible variant).
  • We want to forward the contents of the current message to recipients listed as user-list.
  • We are not composing a brand-new message from scratch; we are forwarding an existing one.


Concept / Approach:

In classic mail, the command m user-list is used to send (mail) a copy of the current message to another recipient list, effectively forwarding it. Other commands target different actions: r replies to the sender, d deletes messages, and e invokes an editor to modify the message being composed or to edit headers.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Start mail and select the message you wish to forward (by number if necessary).At the & prompt, type m user1 user2 to forward to those users.Provide any additional headers or annotations if prompted, then send.Verify that the recipients receive the forwarded message.


Verification / Alternative check:

Consult the system's man mail page for your specific implementation. Some variants also include f (forward) aliases. If your system supports mailx, you may prefer forward or use ~m during composition to include the current message.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • r user-list: reply to sender (and possibly recipients), not forward.
  • d user-list: deletes messages, does not send them.
  • e user-list: edits the message in an editor; not a forwarding action.
  • None of the above: incorrect because m user-list performs the forwarding in classic mail.


Common Pitfalls:

Assuming modern mailx syntax is identical everywhere; different Unix flavors may offer additional aliases like f for forward. Always check the local manual page for exact semantics.


Final Answer:

m user-list

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