---
name: "controlperm"
section: "5"
platform: "linux"
package: "cnews"
version: "cr.g7-31"
release: "Debian 3.0 (Woody)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/controlperm"
---

# controlperm(5)

responses to news control messages

## NAME

controlperm - responses to news control messages

## DESCRIPTION

*controlperm* controls how the news system responds to control messages (specifically, at the moment, *newgroup* and *rmgroup* control messages). It's an ASCII text file, each line consisting of four fields separated by white space.

The first field is a newsgroup pattern, as described in [*newssys*(5)](/newssys/5.md), specifying the newsgroup(s) to which the line applies.

The second field is either \`\`any'' or an Internet-style mail address. If the latter form is used, the line applies only to control messages from that author (with that address in the From header).

The third field is a set of opcode letters indicating which control messages the line applies to:

- n

  newgroup

- r

  rmgroup

The opcode letters can be in any order, e.g. either \`\`nr'' or \`\`rn'' indicates applicability to both *newgroup* and *rmgroup*.

The fourth field is a set of flag letters indicating how to respond to a control message that meets all the applicability tests:

- y

  Do it.

- n

  Don't do it.

- q

  Don't report it at all.

- v

  Report it, and include the entire control message in the report.

Either **y** or **n** must be present. In the absence of both **q** and **v**, the message is reported using a terse format.

The first line which is applicable to a control message governs the response to that control message. If *no* line is applicable, the message is handled as if there was an applicable line with flag letters **yv**.

## FILES

/var/lib/news/controlperm

## SEE ALSO

[news(5)](/news/5.md), [newssys(5)](/newssys/5.md), RFC1036 (or successor)

## HISTORY

Invented by Henry Spencer for the C News project.

## BUGS

Ought to be extended to the other control messages.