---
name: "setmaillist"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "fastforward"
version: "1:0.51-10"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/setmaillist"
---

# setmaillist(1)

create a binary mailing list

## NAME

setmaillist - create a binary mailing list

## SYNOPSIS

**setmaillist** *bin* *tmp*

## DESCRIPTION

**setmaillist** reads a mailing list from its standard input.

**setmaillist** writes the mailing list in a binary format to *tmp*; it then moves *tmp* to *bin*. *tmp* and *bin* must be on the same filesystem.

If there is a problem creating *tmp*, **setmaillist** complains and leaves *bin* alone.

The binary mailing list format is portable across machines.

**setmaillist** always creates *bin* world-readable.

## MAILING LIST FORMAT

The mailing list read by **setmaillist** is a series of lines. NUL bytes are not allowed.

If a line begins with a dot or slash, **setmaillist** takes the entire line as an include file name.

If a line begins with an ampersand, **setmaillist** takes the rest of the line as a recipient address. If a line begins with a letter or number, **setmaillist** takes the entire line as a recipient address. Each recipient address must include a fully qualified domain name. Recipient addresses longer than 800 bytes are not allowed.

**setmaillist** ignores blank lines and lines beginning with #. It also ignores spaces and tabs at the ends of lines.

For example,

```
   god@heaven.af.mil
   djb@silverton.berkeley.edu
```

is a mailing list with two addresses.

## SEE ALSO

[setforward(1)](/setforward/1.md), [newinclude(1)](/newinclude/1.md), [printmaillist(1)](/printmaillist/1.md)