Smtp

[InNeedofHelp]

Hey, I got a couple questions about setting up your system to do Simple Mail Transfer Protocol functions.

- Do I need to find my SMTP address to send mail even if I'm just using the mail function as a test to learn PHP?

- Can I use an SMTP address from a different computer in my house that is connected to mine through wireless internet?

Sorry if my question's are a little vague.
Thanks in advance.

[Twey]

- Do I need to find my SMTP address to send mail even if I'm just using the mail function as a test to learn PHP?

There are two ways to go about it: using your own SMTP server, or using a remote SMTP server. On Windows, the usual behaviour is to use a remote SMTP server. In this case, you need to connect to it to send any sort of mail, testing or not.

- Can I use an SMTP address from a different computer in my house that is connected to mine through wireless internet?

An SMTP "address" isn't "on" anything. When you send mail to user@example.com, your mail client (usually) connects to the SMTP server at example.com and sends the data, addressed to user. As such, it doesn't matter where you send the request from.
You probably ought to read RFC 821.

[InNeedofHelp]

Well, I have a book on PHP, and according to my book, I'm supposed to find an SMTP address on my computer, then go into php.ini and modify the [Mail] portion to work with my SMTP address to then send messages via PHP Mail command. However, I use Yahoo's E-Mail service, so I havn't a clue what my SMTP Address is on my computer. All I really want to know is if modifying the [Mail] part of php.ini is the only way that i can send test messages via PHP Mail command.

[Twey]

Well, I have a book on PHP, and according to my book, I'm supposed to find an SMTP address on my computer, then go into php.ini and modify the [Mail] portion to work with my SMTP address to then send messages via PHP Mail command.

It probably means your email address.

I use Yahoo's E-Mail service, so I havn't a clue what my SMTP Address is on my computer.

Yahoo! may use SMTP. Try using your Yahoo! address to send email. If you can't, I suggest you get a free SMTP email account.

All I really want to know is if modifying the [Mail] part of php.ini is the only way that i can send test messages via PHP Mail command.

Probably. You might be able to find and install a Windows SMTP server, but I've never seen one.

[InNeedofHelp]

Allright, sounds good.

Thanks Twey.

[InNeedofHelp]

Wait, one thing. Are you saying my book is implying to do this:

[mail function]
; For Win32 only.
SMTP = myemailaddress@yahoo.com

?

[Twey]

No, "SMTP" needs to be set to the address of the SMTP server: in this case, smtp.yahoo.com (yes, I checked it, it does exist).

[InNeedofHelp]

OHHH OK!

I get it now, allright.

So can I just use smtp.yahoo.com ?
Or do i have to go and register a SMTP address at yahoo?

[Twey]

do i have to go and register a SMTP address at yahoo?

No, I presume Yahoo!'s standard addresses use SMTP to send email. Presuming you have a @yahoo.com address, smtp.yahoo.com ought to do you fine.

[InNeedofHelp]

Wonderful.

Thanks so much.