Set the file reading mode.

Syntax

MODE mode

Parameters

mode

Required parameter specifying the file reading mode in which files are to be accessed. There are four supported modes: TEXT, BLOCK, RECORD, and RECORD-ATTRIBUTE.

Description

Under OpenVMS, files can be read (accessed) in a variety of ways. The MODE command controls the method used to read the files the mail server returns. Note that default modes apply automatically to various sorts of files; this command provides a way to override these defaults.

The possible values for mode are:

TEXT	Read files as ordinary text files. In TEXT mode, files are read as a sequence of records and sent as ordinary text. TEXT mode is the default for files when no other mode has been set.
BLOCK	Read files as raw binary data. Any record boundary information, including carriage returns, line feeds, line length counts, and indexing information for indexed files simply becomes part of the data. The resulting data typically can only be used on the computer system it is intended for. (Note that this not necessarily restricted to OpenVMS; it is possible to store files intended for other systems as VMS files.) This is the recommend mode to use for binary files.
RECORD	Read files as a series of records. No record boundaries of any kind appear in the output data. This mode is appropriate for fixed length records or records that are internally self-delimiting.
RECORD-ATTRIBUTE	Read files as a series of records. If the record attributes of the file indicate that boundaries should be placed between the records ( i.e., some form of carriage control is requested), a boundary delimiter will be placed between each record. This character is normally a line feed.

The reading mode specified with the MODE command applies to all subsequent SEND commands in the same message. It can be overridden with a subsequent MODE command or, on a per command, basis with the SEND command's /MODE qualifier. And, of course, reading modes established in previous messages sent to the server have no effect on subsequent messages which you might send.

See the SEND command description for further information on the usage of this command.

Examples

The commands,

MODE BLOCK ENCODING BASE64 SEND [.GIF]BOATS*.GIF SEND/MODE=TEXT [GIF]INDEX.TXT

set the default reading mode to BLOCK and the default file encoding to BASE64. Any files matching the specification [GIF]BOATS*.GIF will be sent using these defaults. However, the file [GIF]INDEX.TXT will be sent as an ordinary text file owing to the use of the /MODE=TEXT qualifier.

Error messages

%MAILSERV-W-IVKEYW, unrecognized keyword - check validity and spelling 
      

You specified an unknown mode. Resend the command specifying a legal value for the mode parameter.

%MAILSERV-W-INSFPRM, missing command parameters 
      

You failed to specify the mode parameter. Resend the command specifying a legal value for the mode parameter.