Mail()

[asgsoft]

I think is subforum is a great idea, so i decided to do something in it. A famous function, yet mis-used is mail().

Mail function can be used in several ways, eg a contact form and auto-senders suitable for confirming registeration.

Ok the function is used like this:

mail($to, $subject, $message, $headers);

you can either set the varaibles or enter them manually like this:

mail([email protected], message subject, message , headers);

Although its prefered to use variables becuae its easier to use and modify later.

To make sure the message was sent correctly you can use the following "if block"

if(mail($to,$subject,$message,$headers)){
echo "Email Sent";
}else{
echo "Email Sending Failed";
}

If you are making an autosender you add this to the page that has the email address passed in most propably by a form, so you do this:

$to="[email protected]";
$from=$_POST['email'];
$message="my message";
$subject="Subject of message";
$headers = "From: $from";
if(mail($to,$subject,$message,$headers)){
echo "Email Sent messaage";
}else{
echo "Email Sending Failed mesasage";
}

The other emaple i mentioned at the begginig was the contact form, look at this form, it has both parts in one php page:

<?php
if(!isset($submit)){
echo "<form action='$_SERVER[PHP_SELF]' method='post'>
<p>Name: <input type='text' name='name'><br><p>
<p>Email: <input type='text' name='email'><br><p>
Message: <br>
<textarea name='message' cols='40' rows='15'></textarea><br>
<input type='submit' name='submit' value='send'>
</form>";
}else{
$to="[email protected]";
$from=$_POST['email'];
$message=$_POST['message'];
$subject="Website Contact Form";
$submit=$_POST['submit'];
$headers = "From: $from";
if(mail($to,$subject,$message,$headers)){
echo "Email Sent";
}else{
echo "Email Sending Failed";
}
}
?>

an example of it is available here .

I hope this is helpful and makes the mail() function clear and easier to use.