.TH messages "" "" "Command"
.PC "Quickly count messages in mailbox or folder"
\fBmessages [\fIfolder\^\fB]\fR
.PP
The command
.B messages
tells you how many messages are in your mailbox.
If you name a
.I folder
on its command line, it reads
.I folder
instead of your default mailbox \fB/usr/spool/mail/\fIuser_id\fR.
.PP
.B messages
counts the messages by
counting the occurrences of the string
.B From:
in the mailbox or folder.
.SH "See Also"
.B
commands,
elm,
mail (overview)
.R
.SH Notes
Release 2.4 of
.B elm
is copyright \(co 1988-1992 by The USENET Community Trust.
It is derived from
.B elm
release 2.0, which is copyright \(co 1986, 1987 by Dave Taylor.
