PHP Mail Functions

PHP Mail Introduction

The mail() function allows you to send emails directly from a script.

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Requirements

For the mail functions to be available, PHP requires an installed and working email system. The program to be used is defined by the configuration settings in the php.ini file.

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Installation

The mail functions are part of the PHP core. There is no installation needed to use these functions.

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Runtime Configuration

The behavior of the mail functions is affected by settings in the php.ini file.

Mail configuration options:

Name	Default	Description	Changeable
SMTP	"localhost"	Windows only: The DNS name or IP address of the SMTP server	PHP_INI_ALL
smtp_port	"25"	Windows only: The SMTP port number. Available since PHP 4.3	PHP_INI_ALL
sendmail_from	NULL	Windows only: Specifies the "from" address to be used in email sent from PHP	PHP_INI_ALL
sendmail_path	NULL	Unix systems only: Specifies where the sendmail program can be found (usually /usr/sbin/sendmail or /usr/lib/sendmail)	PHP_INI_SYSTEM

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PHP Mail Functions

PHP: indicates the earliest version of PHP that supports the function.

Function	Description	PHP
ezmlm_hash()	Calculates the hash value needed by the EZMLM mailing list system	3
mail()	Allows you to send emails directly from a script	3