Very nice. Thank you, I appreciate your help.
Thx,
D.
At 02:16 PM 5/26/2005, you wrote:
>
<http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc2822.html>RFC<http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc2822.html>
> 2822 seems to say both are optional, but I'm not clear on the
> differences, so I have two questions...
The difference is that the Reply-To: is created by the MUA within the
message data (headers/body), while the Return-Path: is taken from the
pre-data MAIL FROM (envelope sender), but inserted within the message
data by the MTA.
> Question #1: I'm thinking maybe my database should trap for both of
> these headers and if there's data in one use it for my reply else
> use the 'from' address. Is that reasonable?
No, you should use only the Reply-To:, then the From:, in any kind of
customer-oriented database. The Return-Path: is intended for use by
the underlying SMTP transport (for DSNs/bounces). Reply-To: and From:
are for replies to humans by humans.
> Question #2: for outgoing messages is it best to use the Return-Path
> header or the Reply-To?
Isn't that the same question? The Reply-To: specifies a human
processing replies on behalf of the From: human. The From: human is
used if not overridden by the Reply-To:. While in the vast number of
cases you will see cosmetic overlaps among these three headers, you
should respect their separate functions and not attempt to reply to a
message sent without either human header.
(Note that some intermediate MTAs will prepend From: headers -- copied
from the envelope sender -- in the event that they are not originally
present. Even if the original omission is detected, you can still use
send human replies, as at least the message has been "massaged" into
good form before it reaches you.)
--Sandy
------------------------------------
Sanford Whiteman, Chief Technologist
Broadleaf Systems, a division of
Cypress Integrated Systems, Inc.
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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