MESG(1) | General Commands Manual | MESG(1)

# NAME

`mesg` — display (do not display) messages from other users

# SYNOPSIS

`mesg` | [`n` | `y`]

# DESCRIPTION

The `mesg` utility is invoked by a user to control write access others have to the terminal device associated with the standard error output. Write access is allowed by default, and programs such as talk(1) and write(1) may display messages on the terminal.

The options are as follows:

`n`
  Disallows messages.
`y`
  Permits messages to be displayed.

If no arguments are given, `mesg` displays the present message status to the standard error output.

# FILES

/dev/[pt]ty[pq]?

# EXIT STATUS

The `mesg` utility exits with one of the following values:

0
  Messages are allowed.
1
  Messages are not allowed.
>1
  An error has occurred.

# SEE ALSO

biff(1), talk(1), write(1)

# STANDARDS

The `mesg` utility is compliant with the IEEE Std 1003.1-2008 (“POSIX.1”) specification.

# HISTORY

A `mesg` command appeared in Version 1 AT&T UNIX.

September 6, 2019 | Debian