modify saved messages

[jocx]

Hello.

I'm running 5.0.18_GA_3011.UBUNTU8.

I'd like to be able to run a script against message files
for a particular user or perhaps set of users. Or a procedure
to, in effect, allow message body modification.

For example, If we have performed an imapsync for a user,
and wish to add a content-type line to the body (html is
displaying from a eudora user) to some 50% of their stored
messages, I'd like to apply a script to
(in effect) the zimbra store messages. I expect modifying
the body text (and possibly length) from the OS editor of a
/opt/zimbra/store/{hash}/{mailbox-id}/msg/{hash}/{item}.msg
stored message is in bad form.

I'm wondering what would be a good procedure to modify
one or more zimbra stored messages and replace it with the modified form.
Let's assume I don't tinker with the message id of the message.

thanks,
John

[uxbod]

Why not use sed ?

[jocx]

Originally Posted by uxbod

Why not use sed ?

I could use sed to take action on the script, sure. Or perl, python, etc.
Or use a favorite editor to hand edit any message storage file that
I find. But I expect just modifying the underlying message storage
file might damage associations with meta data in data store and
index table.
I'm thinking there's probably a best practices
method of export, edit, and replace-import, perhaps
with a re-catalog the message zmcommand
which would re-build the data and index store. Knowing what's
most useful to others could assist me here.

thanks,
John