Re: [MlMt] Search parameter "is" vs. "contains"

[Devyn Osborne]

Excellent explanation. Thanks!

On 14 May 2024, at 5:57, Bill Cole wrote:

> On 2024-05-13 at 15:22:21 UTC-0400 (Mon, 13 May 2024 12:22:21 -0700)
> Devyn Osborne 
> is rumored to have said:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I searched for this issue but it’s a bit tricky due to the common words used.
>
> "Is" means that the match needs to be complete and precise. You may note that 
> when you select the "Is" menu item, the text field becomes a combination text 
> box and drop-down which lists all of the values that exist in your mail.
>
> "Contains" means that whatever string you enter can exist somewhere in the 
> selected header field, even if there is more to that field.
>
>> I’ve run into a curious result when creating search / smart mailbox rules 
>> for the From address. Here’s what I’m seeing:
>>
>> - “From” “contains” “n...@example.com” — this returns the expected results 
>> (all emails from n...@example.com)
>>
>> - “From” “is” “n...@example.com” — this returns *zero* results
>
> Correct, because the "From" header always has more than just the sender email 
> address. If you want to JUST match the address in a From header, you can 
> select From->Address in the field menu and use 'is' instead of "contains".
>
>> I know search rules can sometimes operate differently than expected, due to 
>> the specific logic, but this one is curious to me. Why would a “from is a 
>> specific address” not work? Is it because the “from” actually looks to 
>> search like “Devyn Osborne (n...@example.com)” so is not solely the email 
>> address?
>
> Precisely.
>
> Standard email headers can have very complicated structures, but they are 
> rigorously defined and so can be decomposed quite reliably into logical 
> parts. The possible formats of the "From" header are mind-numbingly complex 
> and some senders play games with that complexity.
>
> -- 
> Bill Cole
> b...@scconsult.com or billc...@apache.org
> (AKA @grumpybozo@toad.social and many *@billmail.scconsult.com addresses)
> Not Currently Available For Hire
> ___
> mailmate mailing list
> Unsubscribe: https://lists.freron.com/listinfo/mailmate
___
mailmate mailing list
Unsubscribe: https://lists.freron.com/listinfo/mailmate

Re: [MlMt] Search parameter "is" vs. "contains"

[Bill Cole]

On 2024-05-13 at 15:22:21 UTC-0400 (Mon, 13 May 2024 12:22:21 -0700)
Devyn Osborne 
is rumored to have said:


Hi All,

I searched for this issue but it’s a bit tricky due to the common 
words used.


"Is" means that the match needs to be complete and precise. You may note 
that when you select the "Is" menu item, the text field becomes a 
combination text box and drop-down which lists all of the values that 
exist in your mail.


"Contains" means that whatever string you enter can exist somewhere in 
the selected header field, even if there is more to that field.


I’ve run into a curious result when creating search / smart mailbox 
rules for the From address. Here’s what I’m seeing:


- “From” “contains” “n...@example.com” — this returns 
the expected results (all emails from n...@example.com)


- “From” “is” “n...@example.com” — this returns *zero* 
results


Correct, because the "From" header always has more than just the sender 
email address. If you want to JUST match the address in a From header, 
you can select From->Address in the field menu and use 'is' instead of 
"contains".


I know search rules can sometimes operate differently than expected, 
due to the specific logic, but this one is curious to me. Why would a 
“from is a specific address” not work? Is it because the 
“from” actually looks to search like “Devyn Osborne 
(n...@example.com)” so is not solely the email address?


Precisely.

Standard email headers can have very complicated structures, but they 
are rigorously defined and so can be decomposed quite reliably into 
logical parts. The possible formats of the "From" header are 
mind-numbingly complex and some senders play games with that complexity.


--
Bill Cole
b...@scconsult.com or billc...@apache.org
(AKA @grumpybozo@toad.social and many *@billmail.scconsult.com 
addresses)

Not Currently Available For Hire
___
mailmate mailing list
Unsubscribe: https://lists.freron.com/listinfo/mailmate