[Chapter 1] How to Run
Author: Bryan Costales & Eric Allman
Date: 1999-02-04T00:04:13Z

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| Chapter 1 |

# 1. How to Run

Contents:
Alternative Names for sendmail
Command-Line Switches
Some Handy Debugging Switches
Rule-Testing Mode (-bt) Commands
Hints

The sendmail program is run by specifying its name followed by command-line switches, then recipient addresses. Some command-line switches cause sendmail to ignore its recipients, while others require their presence. One switch, -bt, places sendmail into interactive, rule-testing mode.

## 1.1 Alternative Names for sendmail

hoststat

  Prints persistent host status information (see §36.1.1).

mailq

  Prints the queue's contents (see §36.1.2).

newaliases

  Rebuilds the aliases database file or files (see §36.1.3).

purgestat

  Purges (zeroes) persistent host status information (see §36.1.4).

smtpd

  Runs in daemon mode (see §36.1.5).

Conventions |  | 1.2 Command-Line Switches