Sending Email With PHP
The PHP mail() function can be used to send email from a PHP script.
When a PHP script needs to send an email the mail() function may be the most simple way to send email that programmers can use, in any language. Run the script with the code and the email is sent.
The minimum mail() parameters are To, Subject, Message, and From. Example:
mail("name@example.com","The Info","Call me for the information.","From: name@example.com");
In the parameters, name@example.com is To, The Info is Subject, Call me for the information. is Message, and From: name@example.com is From.
The above is a short how-to for using the PHP mail() function. For comprehensive information, see the PHP mail() documentation page.
Let me add a note about sending HTML email. You can do it with a bit more information in the fourth parameter of the mail() function (the message should have HTML markup).
Append this to the fourth parameter:
\r\nMIME-Version: 1.0\r\nContent-type: text/html; charset=utf-8
You will end up with this:
mail("name@example.com","The Info","<!doctype html><html><body><p>Call me for the information.</p></body></html>","From: name@example.com\r\nMIME-Version: 1.0\r\nContent-type: text/html; charset=utf-8");
And yes, you can send Cc and Bcc copies, too. The method is by adding information to the fourth parameter.
For a Cc and a Bcc, append this to the fourth parameter:
\r\nCc: name2@example.com\r\nBcc: name3@example.com
With the Cc/Bcc appended and the HTML content information appended, you will end up with this:
mail("name@example.com","The Info","<!doctype html><html><body><p>Call me for the information.</p></body></html>","From: name@example.com\r\nCc: name2@example.com\r\nBcc: name3@example.com\r\nMIME-Version: 1.0\r\nContent-type: text/html; charset=utf-8");
Now you know how easy it is to send email with the PHP mail() function.
(This content first appeared in Possibilities newsletter.)
Will Bontrager
