The exact rules behind the email field syntax

P

Pitch

I've always been curious about the exact rules that govern the
accepted syntax for the email address field, and if these syntax rules
are specific to Entourage, or do they apply to most/all email
applications.

For instance, I know that typing in "Fran Johnsen <[email protected]>"
is accepted, as well as just "[email protected]" of course. But what
are the exact rules? Can anything go after that last ">". Can anything
(full sentences, etc) go before the first "<" ?
 
M

Mickey Stevens

The rules are explained here, although the text can be somewhat difficult to
understand:
<http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc2822.html>

Generally, the rules for that field apply to most e-mail applications so
that the messages meet the standard for e-mail messages and thus are
correctly transmitted over the internet. More characters can be typed
before the address/angle brackets if they are enclosed in quotes, like
"Name S. Name" <[email protected]>
(one case in which there must be quotes is when there is a period in the
preceding name)

Another form that I've seen some clients use less frequently is
[email protected] (Name S. Name)
although Entourage automatically converts these entries to the more common
form.
 
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