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.\" %nmhwarning%
-.\" $Id$
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.TH SORTM %manext1% "%nmhdate%" MH.6.8 [%nmhversion%]
.SH NAME
.B sortm
.RI [ +folder ]
.RI [ msgs ]
+.RB [ \-all | \-noall ]
.RB [ \-datefield
.IR field ]
.RB [ \-textfield
sorts the specified messages in the named folder according
to the chronological order of the \*(lqDate:\*(rq field of each message.
.PP
+If no messages are specified, the default is all messages in the folder.
+However, if no messages are specified and the
+.B \-noall
+switch is enabled, then
+.B sortm
+reports that as an error and exits with non-zero status.
+.B \-noall
+is most useful in the user's profile, to avoid inadvertant sorting of
+an entire folder. The
+.B \-all
+switch can then be used on the command line to disable it. Of course,
+a message specification of
+.I all
+can be used in any case.
+.PP
The
.B \-verbose
switch directs
.I field
switch causes
.B sortm
-to sort messages
-by the specified text field. If this field is \*(lqsubject\*(rq, any
-leading "re:" is stripped off. In any case, all characters except
+to sort messages by the specified text field. All characters except
letters and numbers are stripped and the resulting strings are sorted
-datefield\-major, textfield\-minor, using a case insensitive comparison.
+datefield\-major, textfield\-minor, using a case insensitive
+comparison. If this field is \*(lqsubject\*(rq, any leading "re:" is
+stripped off.
.PP
With
.B \-textfield
.B \-limit
.I days
is specified, messages
-with similar textfields that are dated within `days' of each other
+with the same textfields that are dated within `days' of each other
appear together. Specifying
.B \-nolimit
makes the limit infinity.
.IR 0 ,
the sort is instead made textfield\-major, date\-minor.
.PP
-For example, to order a folder by date-major, subject-minor, use:
+For example, to order a folder by date-major, grouping messages with
+the same subject on the same date together, use:
.PP
.RS 5
sortm -textfield subject +folder
.SH DEFAULTS
.nf
.RB ` +folder "' defaults to the current folder"
-.RB ` msgs"' defaults to all"
+.RB ` msgs"' defaults to all without -noall, no default with -noall"
+.RB ` \-all '
.RB ` \-datefield "' defaults to date"
.RB ` \-notextfield '
.RB ` \-noverbose '
If a folder is given, it will become the current folder. If the current
message is moved,
.B sortm
- will preserve its status as current.
+will preserve its status as current.
.SH HISTORY
Timezones used to be ignored when comparing dates: they aren't any more.