---
name: "mkaliases"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "smail"
version: "3.2.0.115-7.1"
release: "Debian 4.0 (Etch)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/mkaliases"
---

# mkaliases(8)

build the aliases database for smail from the ASCII source file

## NAME

mkaliases - build the aliases database for smail from the ASCII source file

## SYNOPSIS

**mkaliases**\

## DESCRIPTION

*Mkaliases* reads the ASCII source file for an aliases database and builds the aliases database according to the configuration information in */build/buildd/smail-3.2.0.115/conf/EDITME*. Run this program whenever changes have been made to the ASCII source file.  If this program is not used, smail may not notice the changes that have been made. */usr/sbin/newaliases* is another name for the mkaliases program and is retained for compatibility with BSD [*sendmail*(8)](/sendmail/8.md) configurations. }

The aliases database can be in a *dbm*(3X) database, a sorted text file, or a plain text file.  In the latter case, the ASCII source file doubles as the database file.  In the case of an aliases database accessed through the Sun YP service, [*mkdbm*(8)](/mkdbm/8.md) or the sun [*makedbm*(8)](/makedbm/8.md) program must be used to build the YP database.  See the *Smail Administration Guide* (as yet unwritten) for more information on interfacing smail to the YP service.

The [*mkline*(8)](/mkline/8.md) program, distributed with smail, is used to remove comments and regularize the aliases file.  Then, for sorted databases, the [*mksort*(8)](/mksort/8.md) program, with the **-f** option, is used to create the sorted database.  For *dbm* databases, the [*mkdbm*(8)](/mkdbm/8.md) program, again with the **-f** option, is used to create the database.  In either case, care is taken to ensure that smail never uses a truncated or partially built database. For plain text databases, a summary of the contents is displayed, but no changes are actually made.  If the aliases file is accessed through the YP service, a messages is displayed stating this and no changes are actually made.

## FILES

- */etc/aliases*

  The name of the aliases database.  This is a plain text file.

- */build/buildd/smail-3.2.0.115/conf/EDITME*

  The file giving the default configuration for smail.

## SEE ALSO

[*mkline*(8)](/mkline/8.md), [*mksort*(8)](/mksort/8.md), [*mkdbm*(8)](/mkdbm/8.md), [*smail*(5)](/smail/5.md), [*smail*(8)](/smail/8.md), [*ypclnt*(3)](/ypclnt/3.md), and *dbm*(3X).

## COPYRIGHT

*Copyright* (C) 1987, 1988 Ronald S. Karr and Landon Curt Noll\
 *Copyright* (C) 1992 Ronald S. Karr

See a file *COPYING*, distributed with the source code, or type *smail -bc*, to view distribution rights and restrictions associated with this software.