12.3 Things to Try

• In an F command, rather than specifying the name of a file, specify the name of a directory or a device such as /dev/null. Does sendmail care? How does it handle (or not handle) nonfiles?

• Use /usr/dict/words as a class file. Does reading a huge file slow sendmail down noticeably? Does this suggest that a database might be more efficient for some needs?

• Are there security concerns surrounding use of the F command? Imagine ways in which a cracker might exploit a careless use of the F command to compromise your system. Skip ahead to Section 22.4.2, "The F Command - File Form" to explore this question further.