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freebsd-dev/gnu/usr.bin/send-pr/send-pr.info
Paul Richards 096e440005 Added send-pr for sending in bug reports. 
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1994-08-29 04:02:54 +00:00

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This is Info file send-pr.info, produced by Makeinfo-1.55 from the
input file ./send-pr.texi.
START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
* send-pr:: Reporting problems--using send-pr
END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
Copyright (C) 1993 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this
manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are
preserved on all copies.
Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of
this manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also
that the entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms
of a permission notice identical to this one.
Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this
manual into another language, under the above conditions for modified
versions.

File: send-pr.info, Node: Top, Next: send-pr in detail, Prev: (DIR), Up: (DIR)
Overview
********
This manual documents `send-pr', version 3.2, which uses electronic
mail to submit support questions and problem reports to a central
Support Site. No body of work is perfect, and support organizations
understand this; `send-pr' is designed to allow users who have problems
to submit reports of these problems to sites responsible for supporting
the products in question, in a defined form which can be read by an
electronically managed database.
`send-pr' is part of a suite of programs known collectively as
GNATS, the GNU Problem Report Management System. GNATS consists of
several programs which, used in concert, formulate and partially
administer a database of "Problem Reports", or "PRs", at a central
Support Site. A PR goes through several states in its lifetime; GNATS
tracks the PR and all information associated with it through each state
and finally acts as an archive for PRs which have been "closed".
Because `send-pr' exists as a shell (`/bin/sh') script and as an
Elisp file for use with GNU Emacs, it can be used from any machine on
your network which can run a shell script and/or Emacs.
In general, you can use any editor and mailer to submit valid Problem
Reports, as long as the format required by GNATS is preserved.
`send-pr' automates the process, however, and ensures that certain
fields necessary for automatic processing are present. `send-pr' is
strongly recommended for all initial problem-oriented correspondence
with your Support Site. The organization you submit Problem Reports to
supplies an address to which further information can be sent; the person
responsible for the category of the problem you report contacts you
directly.
* Menu:
* send-pr in detail:: Details about send-pr and GNATS
* Invoking send-pr:: Editing and sending PRs
* An Example:: A working example
* Installing send-pr:: Installing send-pr on your system
* Index::

File: send-pr.info, Node: send-pr in detail, Next: Invoking send-pr, Prev: Top, Up: Top
Details about send-pr and GNATS
*******************************
A "Problem Report" is a message that describes a problem you are
having with a body of work. `send-pr' organizes this message into a
form which can be understood and automatically processed by GNATS, the
GNU Problem Report Management System. A Problem Report is organized
into "fields" which contain data describing you, your organization, and
the problem you are announcing (*note Problem Report format: Fields.).
Problem Reports go through several defined states in their lifetimes,
from "open" to "closed" (*note States of Problem Reports: States.).
* Menu:
* States:: States of Problem Reports
* Fields:: Problem Report format

File: send-pr.info, Node: States, Next: Fields, Up: send-pr in detail
States of Problem Reports
=========================
Each PR goes through a defined series of states between origination
and closure. The originator of a PR receives notification
automatically of any state changes.
"open"
The initial state of a Problem Report. This means the PR has been
filed and the responsible person(s) notified.
"analyzed"
The responsible person has analyzed the problem. The analysis
should contain a preliminary evaluation of the problem and an
estimate of the amount of time and resources necessary to solve
the problem. It should also suggest possible workarounds.
"feedback"
The problem has been solved, and the originator has been given a
patch or other fix. The PR remains in this state until the
originator acknowledges that the solution works.
"closed"
A Problem Report is closed ("the bug stops here") only when any
changes have been integrated, documented, and tested, and the
submitter has confirmed the solution.
"suspended"
Work on the problem has been postponed. This happens if a timely
solution is not possible or is not cost-effective at the present
time. The PR continues to exist, though a solution is not being
actively sought. If the problem cannot be solved at all, it
should be closed rather than suspended.

File: send-pr.info, Node: Fields, Prev: States, Up: send-pr in detail
Problem Report format
=====================
The format of a PR is designed to reflect the nature of GNATS as a
database. Information is arranged into "fields", and kept in
individual records (Problem Reports).
Problem Report fields are denoted by a keyword which begins with `>'
and ends with `:', as in `>Confidential:'. Fields belong to one of
three data types:
ENUMERATED
One of a specific set of values, which vary according to the
field. The value for each keyword must be on the same line as the
keyword. These values are not configurable (yet).
For each ENUMERATED keyword, the possible choices are listed in the
`send-pr' template as a comment. The following fields are
ENUMERATED format; see the descriptions of fields below for
explanations of each field in detail:
>Confidential: >Severity: >Priority:
>Class: >State: >Number:
TEXT
One single line of text which must begin and end on the same line
(i.e., before a newline) as the keyword. See the descriptions of
fields below for explanations of each field in detail. The
following fields are TEXT format:
>Submitter-Id: >Originator: >Synopsis:
>Category: >Release: >Responsible:
>Arrival-Date:
MULTITEXT
Text of any length may occur in this field. MULTITEXT may span
multiple lines and may also include blank lines. A MULTITEXT field
ends only when another keyword appears. See the descriptions of
fields below for explanations of each field in detail.
The following fields are MULTITEXT format:
>Organization: >Environment: >Description:
>How-To-Repeat: >Fix: >Audit-Trail:
>Unformatted:
A Problem Report contains two different types of fields: "Mail
Header" fields, which are used by the mail handler for delivery, and
"Problem Report" fields, which contain information relevant to the
Problem Report and its submitter. A Problem Report is essentially a
specially formatted electronic mail message.
The following is an example Problem Report. Mail headers are at the
top, followed by GNATS fields, which begin with `>' and end with `:'.
The `Subject:' line in the mail header and the `>Synopsis:' field are
usually duplicates of each other.
Message-Id: MESSAGE-ID
Date: DATE
From: ADDRESS
Reply-To: ADDRESS
To: BUG-ADDRESS
Subject: SUBJECT
>Number: GNATS-ID
>Category: CATEGORY
>Synopsis: SYNOPSIS
>Confidential: yes *or* no
>Severity: critical, serious, *or* non-critical
>Priority: high, medium *or* low
>Responsible: RESPONSIBLE
>State: open, analyzed, suspended, feedback, *or* closed
>Class: sw-bug, doc-bug, change-request, support,
*or* duplicate
>Submitter-Id: SUBMITTER-ID
>Arrival-Date: DATE
>Originator: NAME
>Organization: ORGANIZATION
>Release: RELEASE
>Environment:
ENVIRONMENT
>Description:
DESCRIPTION
>How-To-Repeat:
HOW-TO-REPEAT
>Fix:
FIX
>Audit-Trail:
APPENDED-MESSAGES...
State-Changed-From-To: FROM-TO
State-Changed-When: DATE
State-Changed-Why:
REASON
Responsible-Changed-From-To: FROM-TO
Responsible-Changed-When: DATE
Responsible-Changed-Why:
REASON
>Unformatted:
MISCELLANEOUS
* Menu:
* Mail header fields::
* Problem Report fields::

File: send-pr.info, Node: Mail header fields, Next: Problem Report fields, Up: Fields
Mail header fields
------------------
A Problem Report may contain any mail header field described in the
Internet standard RFC-822. However, only the fields which identify the
sender and the subject are required by `send-pr':
`To:'
The preconfigured mail address for the Support Site where the PR
is to be sent, automatically supplied by `send-pr'.
`Subject:'
A terse description of the problem. This field normally contains
the same information as the `>Synopsis:' field.
`From:'
Usually supplied automatically by the originator's mailer; should
contain the originator's electronic mail address.
`Reply-To:'
A return address to which electronic replies can be sent; in most
cases, the same address as the `From:' field.

File: send-pr.info, Node: Problem Report fields, Prev: Mail header fields, Up: Fields
Problem Report fields
---------------------
Field descriptions
------------------
The following fields are present whenever a PR is submitted via the
program `send-pr'. GNATS adds additional fields when the PR arrives at
the Support Site; explanations of these follow this list.
`>Submitter-Id:'
(TEXT) A unique identification code assigned by the Support Site.
It is used to identify all Problem Reports coming from a particular
site. (Submitters without a value for this field can invoke
`send-pr' with the `--request-id' option to apply for one from the
support organization. Problem Reports from those not affiliated
with the support organization should use the default value of `net'
for this field.)
`>Originator:'
(TEXT) Originator's real name. The default is the value of the
originator's environment variable `NAME'.
`>Organization:'
(MULTITEXT) The originator's organization. The default value is
set with the variable `DEFAULT_ORGANIZATION' in the `send-pr'
shell script.
`>Confidential:'
(ENUMERATED) Use of this field depends on the originator's
relationship with the support organization; contractual agreements
often have provisions for preserving confidentiality. Conversely,
a lack of a contract often means that any data provided will not
be considered confidential. Submitters should be advised to
contact the support organization directly if this is an issue.
If the originator's relationship to the support organization
provides for confidentiality, then if the value of this field is
`yes' the support organization treats the PR as confidential; any
code samples provided are not made publicly available (e.g., in
regression test suites). The default value is `yes'.
`>Synopsis:'
(TEXT) One-line summary of the problem. `send-pr' copies this
information to the `Subject:' line when you submit a Problem
Report.
`>Severity:'
(ENUMERATED) The severity of the problem. Accepted values include:
`critical'
The product, component or concept is completely
non-operational or some essential functionality is missing.
No workaround is known.
`serious'
The product, component or concept is not working properly or
significant functionality is missing. Problems that would
otherwise be considered `critical' are rated `serious' when a
workaround is known.
`non-critical'
The product, component or concept is working in general, but
lacks features, has irritating behavior, does something
wrong, or doesn't match its documentation. The default value
is `serious'.
`>Priority:'
(ENUMERATED) How soon the originator requires a solution. Accepted
values include:
`high'
A solution is needed as soon as possible.
`medium'
The problem should be solved in the next release.
`low'
The problem should be solved in a future release.
The default value is `medium'.
`>Category:'
(TEXT) The name of the product, component or concept where the
problem lies. The values for this field are defined by the Support
Site.
`>Class:'
(ENUMERATED) The class of a problem can be one of the following:
`sw-bug'
A general product problem. (`sw' stands for "software".)
`doc-bug'
A problem with the documentation.
`change-request'
A request for a change in behavior, etc.
`support'
A support problem or question.
`duplicate (PR-NUMBER)'
Duplicate PR. PR-NUMBER should be the number of the original
PR.
The default is `sw-bug'.
`>Release:'
(TEXT) Release or version number of the product, component or
concept.
`>Environment:'
(MULTITEXT) Description of the environment where the problem
occured: machine architecture, operating system, host and target
types, libraries, pathnames, etc.
`>Description:'
(MULTITEXT) Precise description of the problem.
`>How-To-Repeat:'
(MULTITEXT) Example code, input, or activities to reproduce the
problem. The support organization uses example code both to
reproduce the problem and to test whether the problem is fixed.
Include all preconditions, inputs, outputs, conditions after the
problem, and symptoms. Any additional important information
should be included. Include all the details that would be
necessary for someone else to recreate the problem reported,
however obvious. Sometimes seemingly arbitrary or obvious
information can point the way toward a solution. See also *Note
Helpful hints: Helpful hints.
`>Fix:'
(MULTITEXT) A description of a solution to the problem, or a patch
which solves the problem. (This field is most often filled in at
the Support Site; we provide it to the submitter in case she has
solved the problem.)
GNATS adds the following fields when the PR arrives at the Support Site:
`>Number:'
(ENUMERATED) The incremental identification number for this PR.
The `>Number:' field is often paired with the `>Category:' field as
CATEGORY/NUMBER
in subsequent email messages. This is for historical reasons, as
well as because Problem Reports are stored in subdirectories which
are named by category.
`>State:'
(ENUMERATED) The current state of the PR. Accepted values are:
`open'
The PR has been filed and the responsible person notified.
`analyzed'
The responsible person has analyzed the problem.
`feedback'
The problem has been solved, and the originator has been
given a patch or other fix.
`closed'
The changes have been integrated, documented, and tested, and
the originator has confirmed that the solution works.
`suspended'
Work on the problem has been postponed.
The initial state of a PR is `open'. *Note States of Problem
Reports: States.
`>Responsible:'
(TEXT) The person responsible for this category.
`>Arrival-Date:'
(TEXT) The time that this PR was received by GNATS. The date is
provided automatically by GNATS.
`>Audit-Trail:'
(MULTITEXT) Tracks related electronic mail as well as changes in
the `>State:' and `>Responsible:' fields with the sub-fields:
`State-Changed-<From>-<To>: OLDSTATE>-<NEWSTATE'
The old and new `>State:' field values.
`Responsible-Changed-<From>-<To>: OLDRESP>-<NEWRESP'
The old and new `>Responsible:' field values.
`State-Changed-By: NAME'
`Responsible-Changed-By: NAME'
The name of the maintainer who effected the change.
`State-Changed-When: TIMESTAMP'
`Responsible-Changed-When: TIMESTAMP'
The time the change was made.
`State-Changed-Why: REASON...'
`Responsible-Changed-Why: REASON...'
The reason for the change.
The `>Audit-Trail:' field also contains any mail messages received
by GNATS related to this PR, in the order received.
`>Unformatted:'
(MULTITEXT) Any random text found outside the fields in the
original Problem Report.

File: send-pr.info, Node: Invoking send-pr, Next: An Example, Prev: send-pr in detail, Up: Top
Editing and sending PRs
***********************
You can invoke `send-pr' from a shell prompt or from within GNU
Emacs using `M-x send-pr'.
* Menu:
* using send-pr:: Creating new Problem Reports
* send-pr in Emacs:: Using send-pr from within Emacs
* send-pr from the shell:: Invoking send-pr from the shell
* Helpful hints::

File: send-pr.info, Node: using send-pr, Next: send-pr in Emacs, Up: Invoking send-pr
Creating new Problem Reports
============================
Invoking `send-pr' presents a PR "template" with a number of fields
already filled in. Complete the template as thoroughly as possible to
make a useful bug report. Submit only one bug with each PR.
A template consists of three sections:
"Comments"
The top several lines of a blank template consist of a series of
comments that provide some basic instructions for completing the
Problem Report, as well as a list of valid entries for the
`>Category:' field. These comments are all preceded by the string
`SEND-PR:' and are erased automatically when the PR is submitted.
The instructional comments within `<' and `>' are also removed.
(Only these comments are removed; lines you provide that happen to
have those characters in them, such as examples of shell-level
redirection, are not affected.)
"Mail Header"
`send-pr' creates a standard mail header. `send-pr' completes all
fields except the `Subject:' line with default values. (*Note
Problem Report format: Fields.)
"GNATS fields"
These are the informational fields that GNATS uses to route your
Problem Report to the responsible party for further action. They
should be filled out as completely as possible. (*Note Problem
Report format: Fields. Also see *Note Helpful hints: Helpful
hints.)
For examples of a Problem Report template and complete Problem Report,
see *Note An Example::.
The default template contains your preconfigured `>Submitter-Id:'.
`send-pr' attempts to determine values for the `>Originator:' and
`>Organization:' fields (*note Problem Report format: Fields.).
`send-pr' also attempts to find out some information about your system
and architecture, and places this information in the `>Environment:'
field if it finds any.
You may submit problem reports to different Support Sites from the
default site by specifying the alternate site when you invoke
`send-pr'. Each `site' has its own list of categories for which it
accepts Problem Reports. (*Note Setting a default SITE: default site.)
`send-pr' also provides the mail header section of the template with
default values in the `To:', `From:', and `Reply-To:' fields. The
`Subject:' field is empty.
The template begins with a comment section:
SEND-PR: -*- send-pr -*-
SEND-PR: Lines starting with `SEND-PR' will be removed
SEND-PR: automatically as well as all comments (the text
SEND-PR: below enclosed in `<' and `>').
SEND-PR:
SEND-PR: Please consult the document `Reporting Problems
SEND-PR: Using send-pr' if you are not sure how to fill out
SEND-PR: a problem report.
SEND-PR:
SEND-PR: Choose from the following categories:
and also contains a list of valid `>Category:' values for the Support
Site to whom you are submitting this Problem Report. One (and only
one) of these values should be placed in the `>Category:' field. A
complete sample bug report, from template to completed PR, is shown in
*Note An Example::. For a complete list of valid categories, type
`send-pr -L' at your prompt. *Note Valid Categories: Valid Categories,
for a sample list of categories, .
The mail header is just below the comment section. Fill out the
`Subject:' field, if it is not already completed using the value of
`>Synopsis:'. The other mail header fields contain default values.
To: SUPPORT-SITE
Subject: *complete this field*
From: YOUR-LOGIN@YOUR-SITE
Reply-To: YOUR-LOGIN@YOUR-SITE
X-send-pr-version: send-pr 3.2
where SUPPORT-SITE is an alias for the Support Site you wish to submit
this PR to.
The rest of the template contains GNATS fields. Each field is
either automatically completed with valid information (such as your
`>Submitter-Id:') or contains a one-line instruction specifying the
information that field requires in order to be correct. For example,
the `>Confidential:' field expects a value of `yes' or `no', and the
answer must fit on one line; similarly, the `>Synopsis:' field expects
a short synopsis of the problem, which must also fit on one line. Fill
out the fields as completely as possible. *Note Helpful hints: Helpful
hints, for suggestions as to what kinds of information to include.
In this example, words in *italics* are filled in with
pre-configured information:
>Submitter-Id: *your submitter-id*
>Originator: *your name here*
>Organization:
*your organization*
>Confidential:<[ yes | no ] (one line)>
>Synopsis: <synopsis of the problem (one line)>
>Severity: <[non-critical | serious | critical](one line)>
>Priority: <[ low | medium | high ] (one line)>
>Category: <name of the product (one line)>
>Class: <[sw-bug | doc-bug | change-request | support]>
>Release: <release number or tag (one line)>
>Environment:
<machine, os, target, libraries (multiple lines)>
>Description:
<precise description of the problem (multiple lines)>
>How-To-Repeat:
<code/input/activities to reproduce (multiple lines)>
>Fix:
<how to correct or work around the problem, if known
(multiple lines)>
When you finish editing the Problem Report, `send-pr' mails it to
the address named in the `To:' field in the mail header. `send-pr'
checks that the complete form contains a valid `>Category:'.
Your copy of `send-pr' should have already been customized on
installation to reflect your `>Submitter-Id:'. (*Note Installing
`send-pr' on your system: Installing send-pr.) If you don't know your
`>Submitter-Id:', you can request it using `send-pr --request-id'. If
your organization is not affiliated with the site you send Problem
Reports to, a good generic `>Submitter-Id:' to use is `net'.
If your PR has an invalid value in one of the ENUMERATED fields
(*note Problem Report format: Fields.), `send-pr' places the PR in a
temporary file named `/tmp/pbadNNNN' on your machine. NNNN is the
process identification number given to your current `send-pr' session.
If you are running `send-pr' from the shell, you are prompted as to
whether or not you wish to try editing the same Problem Report again.
If you are running `send-pr' from Emacs, the Problem Report is placed
in the buffer `*send-pr-error*'; you can edit this file and then submit
it with
M-x gnats-submit-pr
Any further mail concerning this Problem Report should be
carbon-copied to the GNATS mailing address as well, with the category
and identification number in the `Subject:' line of the message.
Subject: Re: PR CATEGORY/GNATS-ID: ORIGINAL MESSAGE SUBJECT
Messages which arrive with `Subject:' lines of this form are
automatically appended to the Problem Report in the `>Audit-Trail:'
field in the order received.

File: send-pr.info, Node: send-pr in Emacs, Next: send-pr from the shell, Prev: using send-pr, Up: Invoking send-pr
Using `send-pr' from within Emacs
=================================
You can use an interactive `send-pr' interface from within GNU Emacs
to fill out your Problem Report. We recommend that you familiarize
yourself with Emacs before using this feature (*note Introduction:
(emacs)Introduction.).
Call `send-pr' with `M-x send-pr'.(1) `send-pr' responds with a
Problem Report template preconfigured for the Support Site from which
you received `send-pr'. (If you use `send-pr' locally, the default
Support Site is probably your local site.)
You may also submit problem reports to different Support Sites from
the default site. To use this feature, invoke `send-pr' with
C-u M-x send-pr
`send-pr' prompts you for the name of a SITE. SITE is an alias on
your local machine which points to an alternate Support Site.
`send-pr' displays the template and prompts you in the minibuffer
with the line:
>Category: other
Delete the default value `other' *in the minibuffer* and replace it
with the keyword corresponding to your problem (the list of valid
categories is in the topmost section of the PR template). For example,
if the problem you wish to report has to do with the GNU C compiler,
and your support organization accepts bugs submitted for this program
under the category `gcc', delete `other' and then type `gcc[RET]'.
`send-pr' replaces the line
>Category: <name of the product (one line)>
in the template with
>Category: gcc
and moves on to another field.
`send-pr' provides name completion in the minibuffer. For instance,
you can also type `gc[TAB]', and `send-pr' attempts to complete the
entry for you. Typing `g[TAB]' may not have the same effect if several
possible entries begin with `g'. In that case `send-pr' cannot
complete the entry because it cannot determine whether you mean `gcc'
or, for example, `gdb', if both of those are possible categories.
`send-pr' continues to prompt you for a valid entry until you enter one.
`send-pr' prompts you interactively to enter each field for which
there is a range of specific choices. If you attempt to enter a value
which is not in the range of acceptable entries, `send-pr' responds
with `[No match]' and allows you to change the entry until it contains
an acceptable value. This avoids unusable information (at least in
these fields) and also avoids typographical errors which could cause
problems later.
`send-pr' prompts you for the following fields:
>Category:
>Confidential: (*default*: no)
>Severity: (*default*: serious)
>Priority: (*default*: medium)
>Class: (*default*: sw-bug)
>Release:
>Synopsis: (*this value is copied to `Subject:'*)
After you complete these fields, `send-pr' places the cursor in the
`>Description:' field and displays the message
To send the problem report use: C-c C-c
in the minibuffer. At this point, edit the file in the main buffer to
reflect your specific problem, putting relevant information in the
proper fields. *Note An Example::, for a sample Problem Report.
`send-pr' provides a few key bindings to make moving around in a
template buffer more simple:
`C-c C-f'
`M-x change-field'
Changes the field under the cursor. `edit-pr' prompts you for a
new value.
`M-C-b'
`M-x gnats-backward-field'
Moves the cursor to the beginning of the value of the current
field.
`M-C-f'
`M-x gnats-forward-field'
Moves the cursor to the end of the value of the current field.
`M-p'
`M-x gnats-previous-field'
Moves the cursor back one field to the beginning of the value of
the previous field.
`M-n'
`M-x gnats-next-field'
Moves the cursor forward one field to the beginning of the value
of the next field.
`send-pr' takes over again when you type `C-c C-c' to send the
message. `send-pr' reports any errors in a separate buffer, which
remains in existence until you send the PR properly (or, of course,
until you explicitly kill the buffer).
For detailed instructions on using Emacs, see *Note Introduction:
(emacs)Introduction.
---------- Footnotes ----------
(1) If typing `M-x send-pr' doesn't work, see your system
administrator for help loading `send-pr' into Emacs.

File: send-pr.info, Node: send-pr from the shell, Next: Helpful hints, Prev: send-pr in Emacs, Up: Invoking send-pr
Invoking `send-pr' from the shell
=================================
send-pr [ SITE ]
[ -f PROBLEM-REPORT | --file PROBLEM-REPORT ]
[ -t MAIL-ADDRESS | --to MAIL-ADDRESS ]
[ --request-id ]
[ -L | --list ] [ -P | --print ]
[ -V | --version] [ -h | --help ]
SITE is an alias on your local machine which points to an address
used by a Support Site. If this argument is not present, the default
SITE is usually the site which you received `send-pr' from, or your
local site if you use GNATS locally. (*Note Setting a default SITE:
default site.)
Invoking `send-pr' with no options calls the editor named in your
environment variable `EDITOR' on a default PR template. If the
environment variable `PR_FORM' is set, its value is used as a file name
which contains a valid template. If `PR_FORM' points to a missing or
unreadable file, or if the file is empty, `send-pr' generates an error
message and opens the editor on a default template.
`-f PROBLEM-REPORT'
`--file PROBLEM-REPORT'
Specifies a file, PROBLEM-REPORT, where a completed Problem Report
already exists. `send-pr' sends the contents of the file without
invoking an editor. If PROBLEM-REPORT is `-', `send-pr' reads
from standard input.
`-t MAIL-ADDRESS'
`--to MAIL-ADDRESS'
Sends the PR to MAIL-ADDRESS. The default is preset when `send-pr'
is configured. *This option is not recommended*; instead, use the
argument SITE on the command line.
`--request-id'
Sends a request for a `>Submitter-Id:' to the Support Site.
`-L'
`--list'
Prints the list of valid `>Category:' values on standard output.
No mail is sent.
`-P'
`--print'
Displays the PR template. If the variable `PR_FORM' is set in your
environment, the file it specifies is printed. If `PR_FORM' is not
set, `send-pr' prints the standard blank form. If the file
specified by `PR_FORM' doesn't exist, `send-pr' displays an error
message. No mail is sent.
`-V'
`--version'
Displays the `send-pr' version number and a usage summary. No mail
is sent.
`-h'
`--help'
Displays a usage summary for `send-pr'. No mail is sent.

File: send-pr.info, Node: Helpful hints, Prev: send-pr from the shell, Up: Invoking send-pr
Helpful hints
=============
There is no orthodox standard for submitting effective bug reports,
though you might do well to consult the section on submitting bugs for
GNU `gcc' in *Note Reporting Bugs: (gcc)Bugs, by Richard Stallman.
This section contains instructions on what kinds of information to
include and what kinds of mistakes to avoid.
In general, common sense (assuming such an animal exists) dictates
the kind of information that would be most helpful in tracking down and
resolving problems in software.
* Include anything *you* would want to know if you were looking at
the report from the other end. There's no need to include every
minute detail about your environment, although anything that might
be different from someone else's environment should be included
(your path, for instance).
* Narratives are often useful, given a certain degree of restraint.
If a person responsible for a bug can see that A was executed, and
then B and then C, knowing that sequence of events might trigger
the realization of an intermediate step that was missing, or an
extra step that might have changed the environment enough to cause
a visible problem. Again, restraint is always in order ("I set
the build running, went to get a cup of coffee (Columbian, cream
but no sugar), talked to Sheila on the phone, and then THIS
happened...") but be sure to include anything relevant.
* Richard Stallman writes, "The fundamental principle of reporting
bugs usefully is this: *report all the facts*. If you are not sure
whether to state a fact or leave it out, state it!" This holds
true across all problem reporting systems, for computer software
or social injustice or motorcycle maintenance. It is especially
important in the software field due to the major differences
seemingly insignificant changes can make (a changed variable, a
missing semicolon, etc.).
* Submit only *one* problem with each Problem Report. If you have
multiple problems, use multiple PRs. This aids in tracking each
problem and also in analyzing the problems associated with a given
program.
* It never hurts to do a little research to find out if the bug
you've found has already been reported. Most software releases
contain lists of known bugs in the Release Notes which come with
the software; see your system administrator if you don't have a
copy of these.
* The more closely a PR adheres to the standard format, the less
interaction is required by a database administrator to route the
information to the proper place. Keep in mind that anything that
requires human interaction also requires time that might be better
spent in actually fixing the problem. It is therefore in
everyone's best interest that the information contained in a PR be
as correct as possible (in both format and content) at the time of
submission.

File: send-pr.info, Node: An Example, Next: Installing send-pr, Prev: Invoking send-pr, Up: Top
An Example
**********
Cygnus Support in Mountain View, CA, uses GNATS and `send-pr'
extensively for their support activities. As a support company, Cygnus
finds problem tracking to be a crucial part of everyday business.
Cygnus supports the GNU compiling tools (including GNATS and `send-pr')
over several many platforms
With each shipment of the Cygnus Support Developer's Kit, customers
receive the latest version of `send-pr', which contains an up-to-date
listing of valid categories (values for the `>Category:' field). Using
these tools, Cygnus' customers can communicate their problems to Cygnus
effectively and receive automatic confirmation of receipt as well as
notification of changes in the status of their reported problems. Much
of Cygnus' support mechanism relies on electronic mail.
As an example, let's pretend we're a customer of Cygnus Support, and
that we're having a problem compiling some of our software using the
GNU C compiler, which Cygnus supports.
Assume that we're getting an error in our `bifrabulator' program
wherein the `prestidigitation' routines don't match with the
`whatsitsname'. We've made sure we're following the rules of the
program and checked the Release Notes from Cygnus and found that the bug
isn't already known. In other words, we're pretty sure we've found a
bug.
Our first step is to call `send-pr'. It really doesn't matter
whether we use `send-pr' from the shell or from within Emacs. Indeed,
if we use Emacs as a primary editor, calling `send-pr' from the shell
is likely to start `send-pr' in an Emacs buffer anyway. So, since our
company, *Imaginary Software, Ltd.*, uses GNU software extensively,
we're pretty familiar with Emacs, so from within Emacs we type
M-x send-pr
and we're greeted with the following screen:
SEND-PR: -*- text -*-
SEND-PR: Lines starting with `SEND-PR' will be removed
SEND-PR: automatically as well as all comments (the text
SEND-PR: below enclosed in `<' and `>').
SEND-PR: Please consult the manual if you are not sure
SEND-PR: how to fill out a problem report.
SEND-PR:
SEND-PR: Choose from the following categories:
SEND-PR:
SEND-PR: bfd binutils bison
SEND-PR: byacc clib config cvs diff
SEND-PR: doc emacs flex g++ gas
SEND-PR: gcc gdb glob gprof grep
SEND-PR: info ispell kerberos ld libg++
SEND-PR: libiberty make makeinfo mas newlib
SEND-PR: other patch rcs readline send-pr
SEND-PR: test texindex texinfo texinfo.tex
SEND-PR: bifrabulator <---*note: this one is fake*
SEND-PR:
To: cygnus-bugs@cygnus.com
Subject:
From: jeffrey@imaginary.com
Reply-To: jeffrey@imaginary.com
X-send-pr-version: send-pr 3.2
>Submitter-Id: imaginary
>Originator: Jeffrey Osier
>Organization:
Imaginary Software, Ltd.
>Confidential: <[ yes | no ] (one line)>
>Synopsis: <synopsis of the problem (one line)>
>Severity: <[ non-critical | serious | critical ] (one line)>
>Priority: <[ low | medium | high ] (one line)>
>Category: <name of the product (one line)>
>Class: <[sw-bug|doc-bug|change-request|support](oneline)>
>Release: <release number or tag (one line)>
>Environment:
<machine, os, target, libraries (multiple lines)>
System: SunOS imaginary.com 4.1.1 1 sun4
Architecture: sun4
>Description:
<precise description of the problem (multiple lines)>
>How-To-Repeat:
<code/input/activities to reproduce (multiple lines)>
>Fix:
-----Emacs: *send-pr* (send-pr Fill)----All------------------
>Category: other[]
We know from past experience that we need to set certain information
into each field, so we compile all the information we know about our
problem. We have some sample code which we know should work, even
though it doesn't, so we'll include that. Below is the completed PR;
we send this using `C-c C-c'. (The comments have been truncated).
SEND-PR: Lines starting with `SEND-PR' will be removed
SEND-PR: automatically as well as all comments (the text
SEND-PR: ...
SEND-PR:
To: cygnus-bugs@cygnus.com
Subject: bifrabulator routines don't match
From: jeffrey@imaginary.com
Reply-To: jeffrey@imaginary.com
X-send-pr-version: send-pr 3.2
>Submitter-Id: imaginary
>Originator: Jeffrey Osier
>Organization:
Imaginary Software, Ltd.
>Confidential: no
>Synopsis: bifrabulator routines don't match
>Severity: serious
>Priority: medium
>Category: bifrabulator
>Class: sw-bug
>Release: progressive-930101
>Environment:
System: SunOS imaginary.com 4.1.1 1 sun4
Architecture: sun4 (SPARC)
>Description:
the following code I fed into the bifrabulator came back
with a strange error. apparently, the prestidigitation
routine doesn't match with the whatsitsname in all cases.
>How-To-Repeat:
call the bifrabulator on the following code.
*code sample...*
>Fix:
-----Emacs: *send-pr* (send-pr Fill)----All------------------
To send the problem report use: C-c C-c
We type `C-c C-c', and off it goes. Now, we depend on Cygnus
Support to figure out the answer to our problem.
Soon afterward, we get the following message from Cygnus:
From: gnats (GNATS management)
Sender: gnats-admin
Reply-To: hacker@cygnus.com
To: jeffrey@imaginary.com
Subject: Re: bifrabulator/1425: routines don't match
Thank you very much for your problem report.
It has the internal identification: g++/1425.
The individual assigned to look at your bug is: hacker
(F.B. Hacker)
Category: bifrabulator
Responsible: hacker
Synopsis: bifrabulator routines don't match
Arrival-Date: Sat Feb 30 03:12:55 1993
This is our receipt that the bug has been accepted and forwarded to the
responsible party.
A while later, we get the analysis:
To: jeffrey@imaginary.com
From: hacker@cygnus.com
Subject: Re: bifrabulator/1425: routines don't match
Reply-To: hacker@cygnus.com
Got your message, Jeff. It seems that the bifrabulator was
confusing the prestidigitation routines with the realitychecker
when lexically parsing the whatsitsname.
I'm working on robustisizing the bifrabulator now.
How about lunch next week?
--
F.B. Hacker
Cygnus Support, Mountain View, CA 415 903 1400
#include <std-disclaimer.h>
About the same time, we get another message from Cygnus.
From: hacker@cygnus.com
To: jeffrey@imaginary.com
Subject: Re: bifrabulator/1425: doesn't match prestidig
Reply-To: hacker@cygnus.com
`F.B. Hacker' changed the state to `analyzed'.
State-Changed-From-To: open-analyzed
State-Changed-By: hacker
State-Changed-When: Fri Feb 31 1993 08:59:16 1993
State-Changed-Why:
figured out the problem, working on a patch this afternoon
--
F.B. Hacker
Cygnus Support, Mountain View, CA 415 903 1400
#include <std-disclaimer.h>
The bug has now been analyzed, and Cygnus is working on a solution.
Sometime later, we get more mail from F.B.:
To: jeffrey@imaginary.com
From: hacker@cygnus.com
Subject: Re: bifrabulator/1425: routines don't match
Reply-To: hacker@cygnus.com
There's a patch now that you can ftp over and check out.
Hey, that joke you sent me was great! The one about the
strings walking into a bar... my boss laughed for an hour!
--
F.B. Hacker
Cygnus Support, Mountain View, CA 415 903 1400
#include <std-disclaimer.h>
From: hacker@cygnus.com
To: jeffrey@imaginary.com
Subject: Re: bifrabulator/1425: doesn't match prestidig
Reply-To: hacker@cygnus.com
`F.B. Hacker' changed the state to `feedback'.
State-Changed-From-To: analyzed-feedback
State-Changed-By: hacker
State-Changed-When: Fri Feb 31 1993 23:43:16 1993
State-Changed-Why:
got the patch finished, notified Jeff at Imaginary Software
--
F.B. Hacker
Cygnus Support, Mountain View, CA 415 903 1400
#include <std-disclaimer.h>
The bug has gone into "feedback" status now, until we get the patch,
install it and test it. When everything tests well, we can mail F.B.
back and tell him the bug's been fixed, and he can change the state of
the PR from "feedback" to "closed".
Following is a list of valid `>Category:' entries that are supported
by Cygnus.
* Menu:
* Valid Categories::

File: send-pr.info, Node: Valid Categories, Up: An Example
Valid Categories
================
`bfd'
GNU binary file descriptor library.
`bifrabulator'
This one doesn't actually exist.
`binutils'
GNU utilities for binary files (`ar', `nm', `size'...).
`bison'
GNU parser generator.
`byacc'
Free parser generator.
`config'
Cygnus Support Software configuration and installation.
`cvs'
Concurrent Version System.
`diff'
GNU `diff' program.
`doc'
Documentation and manuals.
`emacs'
GNU Emacs editor and related functions.
`flex'
GNU lexical analyzer.
`g++'
GNU C++ compiler.
`gas'
GNU assembler.
`gcc'
GNU C compiler.
`gdb'
GNU source code debugger.
`glob'
The filename globbing functions.
`gprof'
GNU profiler.
`grep'
GNU `grep' program.
`info'
GNU `info' hypertext reader.
`ispell'
GNU spelling checker.
`kerberos'
Kerberos authentication system.
`ld'
GNU linker.
`libc'
Cygnus Support C Support Library.
`libg++'
GNU C++ class library.
`libiberty'
GNU `libiberty' library.
`libm'
Cygnus Support C Math Library.
`make'
GNU `make' program.
`makeinfo'
GNU utility to build Info files from Texinfo documents.
`mas'
GNU Motorola syntax assembler.
`newlib'
Cygnus Support C Support and Math Libraries.
`patch'
GNU bug patch program.
`gnats'
GNU Problem Report Management System.
`rcs'
Revision Control System.
`readline'
GNU `readline' library.
`send-pr'
GNU Problem Report submitting program.
`test'
Category to use when testing `send-pr'.
`texindex'
GNU documentation indexing utility.
`texinfo'
GNU documentation macros.
`other'
Anything which is not covered by the above categories.

File: send-pr.info, Node: Installing send-pr, Next: Index, Prev: An Example, Up: Top
Installing `send-pr' on your system
***********************************
If you receive `send-pr' as part of a larger software distribution,
it probably gets installed when the full distribution is installed. If
you are using GNATS at your site as well, you must decide where
`send-pr' sends Problem Reports by default; see *Note Setting a default
SITE: default site.
* Menu:
* installation:: installing `send-pr' by itself
* default site:: setting a default site

File: send-pr.info, Node: installation, Next: default site, Up: Installing send-pr
Installing `send-pr' by itself
==============================
Install `send-pr' by following these steps (you may need `root'
access in order to change the `aliases' file and to install `send-pr'):
* Unpack the distribution into a directory which we refer to as
SRCDIR.
* Edit the file `Makefile' to reflect local conventions.
Specifically, you should edit the variable `prefix' to alter the
installation location. The default is `/usr/local'. All files are
installed under `prefix' (see below).
* *Run*
make all install [ info ] [ install-info ] [ clean ]
The targets mean the following:
`all'
Builds `send-pr' and `install-sid'
`install'
Installs the following:
`install-sid'
`send-pr'
into `PREFIX/bin'
`send-pr.1'
into `PREFIX/man/man1'
`SITE'
the list of valid CATEGORIES for the Support Site from
which you received `send-pr', installed as
`PREFIX/lib/gnats/SITE'
`send-pr.el'
into `PREFIX/lib/emacs/lisp'(1)
`info (*optional*)'
Builds `send-pr.info' from `send-pr.texi'
(`send-pr.info' is included with this distribution)
`install-info (*optional*)'
Installs `send-pr.info' into `PREFIX/info'
`clean (*optional*)'
Removes all intermediary build files that can be rebuilt from
source code
* Run
install-sid YOUR-SID
where YOUR-SID is the identification code you received with
`send-pr'. `send-pr' automatically inserts this value into the
template field `>Submitter-Id:'. If you've downloaded `send-pr'
from the Net, use `net' for this value.
* Place the following line in `PREFIX/lib/emacs/lisp/default.el', or
instruct your users to place the following line in their `.emacs'
files:
(autoload 'send-pr "send-pr" "Submit a Problem Report." t)
* Create a mail alias for the Support Site from which you received
`send-pr', and for every site with which you wish to use `send-pr'
to communicate. Each alias must have a suffix of `-gnats'. The
Support Site(s) will provide the correct addresses where these
aliases should point. For instance, edit your mail aliases file
to contain something like:
# support sites; for use with send-pr
cygnus-gnats: bugs@cygnus.com # Cygnus Support
bumblebee-gnats: bumblebugs@bumblebee.com # Bumblebee Inc.
mycompany-gnats: bugs@my.company.com (*if you use GNATS locally*)
`send-pr' automatically searches for these aliases when you type
send-pr cygnus
send-pr bumblebee
send-pr SITE...
`send-pr' also uses SITE to determine the categories of problems
accepted by the site in question by looking in
PREFIX/lib/gnats/SITE
---------- Footnotes ----------
(1) If your main Emacs lisp repository is in a different directory
from this, substitute that directory for `PREFIX/lib/emacs/lisp'.

File: send-pr.info, Node: default site, Prev: installation, Up: Installing send-pr
Setting a default SITE
======================
`send-pr' is capable of sending Problem Reports to any number of
Support Sites, using mail aliases which have `-gnats' appended them.
`send-pr' automatically appends the suffix, so that when you type
send-pr SITE
the Problem Report goes to the address noted in the `aliases' file as
`SITE-gnats'. You can do this in the Emacs version of `send-pr' by
invoking the program with
C-u M-x send-pr
You are prompted for SITE.
SITE is also used to error-check the `>Category:' field, as a
precaution against sending mistaken information (and against sending
information to the wrong site).
You may also simply type
send-pr
from the shell (or `M-x send-pr' in Emacs), and the Problem Report you
generate will be sent to the SITE, which is usually the site from which
you received your distribution of `send-pr'. If you use GNATS at your
own organization, the default is usually your local address for
reporting problems.
To change this, simply edit the file `Makefile' before installing
and change the line
GNATS_SITE = SITE
to reflect the site where you wish to send PRs by default.

File: send-pr.info, Node: Index, Prev: Installing send-pr, Up: Top
Index
*****
* Menu:
* >Arrival-Date:: Problem Report fields.
* >Audit-Trail:: Problem Report fields.
* >Category:: Problem Report fields.
* >Class:: Problem Report fields.
* >Confidential:: Problem Report fields.
* >Description:: Problem Report fields.
* >Environment:: Problem Report fields.
* >Fix:: Problem Report fields.
* >How-To-Repeat:: Problem Report fields.
* >Number:: Problem Report fields.
* >Organization:: Problem Report fields.
* >Originator:: Problem Report fields.
* >Priority:: Problem Report fields.
* >Release:: Problem Report fields.
* >Responsible:: Problem Report fields.
* >Severity:: Problem Report fields.
* >State:: Problem Report fields.
* >Submitter-Id:: using send-pr.
* >Submitter-Id:: Problem Report fields.
* >Synopsis:: Problem Report fields.
* >Unformatted:: Problem Report fields.
* Arrival-Date field: Problem Report fields.
* Audit-Trail field: Problem Report fields.
* bifrabulator: An Example.
* Category field: Problem Report fields.
* Class field: Problem Report fields.
* Confidential field: Problem Report fields.
* Description field: Problem Report fields.
* Environment field: Problem Report fields.
* Fix field: Problem Report fields.
* From: header: Mail header fields.
* How-To-Repeat field: Problem Report fields.
* Number field: Problem Report fields.
* Organization field: Problem Report fields.
* Originator field: Problem Report fields.
* Priority field: Problem Report fields.
* Release field: Problem Report fields.
* Reply-To: header: Mail header fields.
* Responsible-Changed-<From>-<To>: in >Audit-Trail:: Problem Report fields.
* Responsible-Changed-By: in >Audit-Trail:: Problem Report fields.
* Responsible-Changed-When: in >Audit-Trail:: Problem Report fields.
* Responsible-Changed-Why: in >Audit-Trail:: Problem Report fields.
* Responsible field: Problem Report fields.
* send-pr fields: using send-pr.
* send-pr within Emacs: send-pr in Emacs.
* Severity field: Problem Report fields.
* State-Changed-<From>-<To>: in >Audit-Trail:: Problem Report fields.
* State-Changed-By: in >Audit-Trail:: Problem Report fields.
* State-Changed-When: in >Audit-Trail:: Problem Report fields.
* State-Changed-Why: in >Audit-Trail:: Problem Report fields.
* State field: Problem Report fields.
* Subject: header: Mail header fields.
* Submitter-Id field: Problem Report fields.
* Submitter-Id field: using send-pr.
* Synopsis field: Problem Report fields.
* To: header: Mail header fields.
* Unformatted field: Problem Report fields.
* *analyzed* state: States.
* *change-request* class: Problem Report fields.
* *closed* state: States.
* *critical* severity problems: Problem Report fields.
* *doc-bug* class: Problem Report fields.
* *duplicate* class: Problem Report fields.
* *Enumerated* data types: Fields.
* *feedback* state: States.
* *high* priority problems: Problem Report fields.
* *low* priority problems: Problem Report fields.
* *medium* priority problems: Problem Report fields.
* *MultiText* data types: Fields.
* *non-critical* severity problems: Problem Report fields.
* *open* state: States.
* *serious* severity problems: Problem Report fields.
* *support* class: Problem Report fields.
* *suspended* state: States.
* *sw-bug* class: Problem Report fields.
* *Text* data types: Fields.
* an example: An Example.
* appending PRs: using send-pr.
* appending PRs: Problem Report fields.
* automatic notification: States.
* bad Problem Reports: using send-pr.
* blank PR template: An Example.
* command line options: send-pr from the shell.
* comment section in the PR template: using send-pr.
* completed Problem Report: An Example.
* completion in Emacs: send-pr in Emacs.
* confidentiality in PRs: Problem Report fields.
* Cygnus Support: An Example.
* database similarities: Fields.
* default SITE: default site.
* default PR template: An Example.
* details about send-pr: send-pr in detail.
* editing and sending PRs: Invoking send-pr.
* effective problem reporting: Helpful hints.
* Emacs: send-pr in Emacs.
* errors: using send-pr.
* example of a completed PR: An Example.
* example of a default template: An Example.
* example of a list of valid categories: Valid Categories.
* example of a state change: An Example.
* example PR: An Example.
* example Problem Report: Fields.
* field format: Problem Report fields.
* fields: Fields.
* fields - list: Problem Report fields.
* final state ("closed"): States.
* foreword to send-pr: Top.
* format: Fields.
* generating new PRs: Invoking send-pr.
* GNATS: Top.
* GNATS database fields: Problem Report fields.
* GNATS fields - list: Problem Report fields.
* GNU software support: An Example.
* helpful hints: Helpful hints.
* Imaginary Software, Ltd.: An Example.
* information to submit: Helpful hints.
* initial state ("open"): States.
* installation: Installing send-pr.
* installation procedure: installation.
* interactive interface: send-pr in Emacs.
* Internet standard RFC-822: Mail header fields.
* introduction to send-pr: Top.
* invalid Problem Reports: using send-pr.
* invoking send-pr from Emacs: send-pr in Emacs.
* invoking send-pr from the shell: send-pr from the shell.
* invoking send-pr: Invoking send-pr.
* kinds of helpful information: Helpful hints.
* life-cycle of a Problem Report: States.
* listing valid categories: send-pr from the shell.
* mail header fields: Mail header fields.
* mail header section: using send-pr.
* name completion in Emacs: send-pr in Emacs.
* other mail: using send-pr.
* other mail: Problem Report fields.
* overview to send-pr: Top.
* PR confidentiality: Problem Report fields.
* Problem Report data types: Fields.
* Problem Report format: Fields.
* Problem Report states: States.
* Problem Report template: Fields.
* Problem Reports: send-pr in detail.
* related mail: Problem Report fields.
* related mail: using send-pr.
* Report all the facts!: Helpful hints.
* sample Problem Report: Fields.
* saving related mail: Problem Report fields.
* saving related mail: using send-pr.
* sending PRs: Invoking send-pr.
* setting a default SITE: default site.
* shell invocation: send-pr from the shell.
* state change example: An Example.
* state--"analyzed": States.
* state--"closed": States.
* state--"feedback": States.
* state--"open": States.
* state--"suspended": States.
* states of Problem Reports: States.
* subsequent mail: Problem Report fields.
* subsequent mail: using send-pr.
* template: using send-pr.
* template comment section: using send-pr.
* using send-pr from within Emacs: send-pr in Emacs.
* Using and Porting GNU CC: Helpful hints.
* using send-pr: Invoking send-pr.
* valid categories: Valid Categories.

Tag Table:
Node: Top827
Node: send-pr in detail2851
Node: States3690
Node: Fields5122
Node: Mail header fields8791
Node: Problem Report fields9656
Node: Invoking send-pr17045
Node: using send-pr17502
Node: send-pr in Emacs24509
Node: send-pr from the shell28914
Node: Helpful hints31261
Node: An Example34366
Node: Valid Categories43466
Node: Installing send-pr45285
Node: installation45852
Node: default site49077
Node: Index50334

End Tag Table
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