tucks@MATON.CHA wrote: > >is there a simple way to colorize a phrase or line in an output file that >is be output >via smtp ? > >perhaps something like an XML formatting command to make certain values >stand out in >the output file? > >pseudocode: > >filename smtp to="a@b.com" subject="stuff" > >data _null_;set somethingveryimportant; file smtp; >if somevalue > 9999 then do; > put <xml formatting here> the datalines

Unfortunately, Chris is dead on.

If you fire email of to an SMTP server, it has to know the type of mail you are sending. If oyu pass it anything other than 'text/html' you are at risk of needing to do a lot more than send a text memo to the SMTP server, because you would need to attach the file with this markup in it, and tell your SMTP server that you are moving up to the MIME specification for handling non-text attachments. (Yes, things like XML and HTML count as non-text, even if they are all text characters.)

Then, as if things were not annoying enough, not all SMTP servers handle MIME attachments properly, and not all MUAs (Mail User Agents - the email readers at the other end) will handle the attachment correctly. The default mail reader in Solaris, MailTool, has been known to have trouble with multiple components in a single MIME envelope, among other glitches. Lotus Notes can have problems with certain types of MIME attachments. It opens up a can of worms you may not want to look at.

So think about how badly you need to add this detail. If you really need it, go back and create the file, then send the email by attaching the file, while giving the SMTP server the correct content-type so it can handle it more accurately.

HTH, David -- David L. Cassell mathematical statistician Design Pathways 3115 NW Norwood Pl. Corvallis OR 97330

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