PHP Mail Introduction
The mail() function allows you to send emails directly from a script.
Requirements
For the mail functions to be available, PHP requires an installed and working email system. The program to be used is defined by the configuration settings in the php.ini file.
Installation
The mail functions are part of the PHP core. There is no installation needed to use these functions.
Runtime Configuration
The behavior of the mail functions is affected by settings in the php.ini file.
Mail configuration options:
| Name | Default | Description | Changeable |
| SMTP | “localhost” | Windows only: The DNS name or IP address of the SMTP server | PHP_INI_ALL |
| smtp_port | “25” | Windows only: The SMTP port number. Available since PHP 4.3 | PHP_INI_ALL |
| sendmail_from | NULL | Windows only: Specifies the “from” address to be used in email sent from PHP | PHP_INI_ALL |
| sendmail_path | NULL | Unix systems only: Specifies where the sendmail program can be found (usually /usr/sbin/sendmail or /usr/lib/sendmail) | PHP_INI_SYSTEM |
PHP Mail Functions
PHP: indicates the earliest version of PHP that supports the function.
| Function | Description | PHP |
| ezmlm_hash() | Calculates the hash value needed by the EZMLM mailing list system | 3 |
| mail() | Allows you to send emails directly from a script | 3 |
PHP Mail Constants
None.